Mandating the affiliated schools to install high-resolution CCTV cameras with real-time audio-visual recording at key locations, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced revised amendments to Chapter 4 (Physical Infrastructure) of its Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018.
In a circular issued here today, Board’s Secretary Himanshu Gupta stated that the Board has decided to make the following amendment in Chapter 4 (Physical Infrastructure) of Affiliation Bye Laws-2018 by incorporating the new clause.
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“The school should install high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio visual facility at all the entry and exit points of the school, lobbies, corridors, Staircases, all the classrooms, labs, library, Canteen Area, store room, playground and other common areas except toilets and washrooms with real-time audiovisual recording. These CCTV Cameras must be equipped with a storage device with the capacity of holding footage of at least 15 days. It shall be ensured that a backup of a minimum 15 days be preserved, which may be accessed by the authorities, if required,” Chapter 4 of Affiliation Bye Laws-2018 of the Board: 4.7.10, now reads.
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As per clause 1(X) of the NCPCR’s Manual on safety and security of children in Schools, “CCTV in schools needs to be monitored and maintained regularly.”. The schools may continuously vigil their entire premises by installing CCTV cameras at various identified points in the school’s premises.
Stating that as per Manual on safety and security of children in Schools, NCPCR, “School Safety” has been defined as creating safe environment for children, starting from their homes to their schools and back, Gupta stated that it includes safety from any kind of abuse, violence, psycho-social issue, disaster: natural and manmade, fire, transportation.
Safety of students is one of the paramount responsibilities of a school and ensure that the students get a safe and cohesive eco-system in the school. Safety has two aspects, which includes safety from scrupulous unsocietal elements, and safety for the overall well-being of the children with reference to bullying and other implicit threats.
Stating that emotional safety is especially important because it is often difficult for teachers and parents to detect emotional problems and difficulties in children, the circular stated that bullying can cause victimized students to suffer from lower self-esteem and daily stress about their well-being.
Everyone in school has a role to play in ensuring good safety, healthy and secure environment within the school; be it teachers, special needs assistants, visitors and contractors and students themselves. All such probabilities can be prevented with a vigilant and sensitive staff and with the usage of the latest technology, it read further.
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