SDMC targets to install CCTV cameras in all schools by July

NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) said it targets to install close circuit television cameras (CCTV) and deploy guards in all its primary schools before the schools restart after summer vacations in July.

The civic agency runs 581 schools from 434 buildings and has already installed cameras in 62 premises, officials said.

In remaining 372 school buildings, installation process will begin next month. Each school building will get 8-12 CCTV cameras, depending upon the size of school campus, SDMC officials said.

“The cameras will be primarily installed at entry gates, in corridors, near toilets and in playing areas... Besides school principals, the pin numbers of these CCTV cameras can be accessed by the education director at headquarters and zonal deputy directors,” said Meeta Singh, additional commissioner, SDMC.

Officials from the education department said the cameras will help in monitoring the activities in schools and also in addressing the issue of increasing student absenteeism. “Officials can verify the actual number of students present or studying in classes any time. Also, it will help in finding out any negligence in safety arrangements for kids,” said the official.

The process of installing cameras and guards gained momentum after a nursery class student fell into septic tank in schools premises run by SDMC in 2016.

However, the plan to install surveillance cameras in primary schools was part of the three municipal corporations’ budgets for the three last consecutive years. But none was able to cover even one-third of schools.

“To fulfil our commitment to provide foolproof security to students, application for providing 343 civil defence staff for the post of guards was been sent to divisional commissioner,” said Singh. One lot of 100 civic defence staff has been posted at school buildings in Najafgarh and South zones.

On Friday, the north municipal corporation initiated tendering process for installation of camera in 30 out of 570 school buildings. Work is expected to be over in three months. “Due to paucity of funds, we are taking up the project in phases. Soon we will install cameras in other schools as well,” said senior north corporation official.

Last year, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and MP from northeast Delhi seat had given about ₹2 crore from his local area development fund for installing CCTVS in municipal corporation schools. It was utilised to install 240 CCTV cameras at 15 schools in Shahdara North.