The question of surveillance in schools is not an option but a necessary upgrade which is going to happen in schools sooner than later. The obvious benefits of having surveillance are immense like Constant Supervision, Recording of events for cases like theft, vandalism & even fight. Moreover it brings about a sense of decorum within the school environment.

A practical experience shows that teachers & students become oblivious to the presence of these cameras within a short period of 3-4 days enabling unhindered schooling.

The negative issues are normally raised by staff members who believe this to be an invasion of privacy. Again it’s an overstatement unless the surveillance is installed within the staff rooms. When in class rooms the teachers are under public duty & hence under scrutiny & observation. The school owe it to the parents to constantly supervise & monitor the teaching staff while taking classes.

In fact very shortly in future schools will start transmitting class room videos directly to the children’s home for observation by the parents. There are lot of hindernaces in this path however because only schools with impeccable quality standards would like parents to validate their deliverances. All one can do so is hope for a day when all school practice what they promise & are not afraid to come under the scrutiny of parents.

Last but not the least the tem CCTV itself has to be replaced with Surveillance as CCTV technology is already obsolete. Internationally IP cameras have replaced CCTV like all digital technologies have replaced analog systems. Compare it to Old Tv’s vs Plasma / LCD TV, Regular Cable to DTH / Dish etc. In India companies are dumping old CCTV stocks which have very inferiors quality & a much shorter life span.

Meanwhile let’s continue to hope that these positive measure are adopted by all school & not just the ’so-called’ elite schools.

Shiv Nirula
Innovation Consultant