Chandigarh, June 06: Soon close circuit television (CCTV) cameras might be noticed in the classrooms of government schools as the UT education department is working on a project under which cameras would be installed in and outside the classrooms to promote better administration.
When contacted, DPI (schools) Samwartak Singh said, ‘’The entire project will depend on requirements of the schools concerned. The cameras will be installed basically to keep an eye on the administration.’’
In private schools, teachers are always on alert due to high surveillance, said an official of the education department. Supporting his views, another official added that like many private schools where this initiative was taken long ago, the device would ensure better vigilance both on teachers and students in government schools. Elaborating his stand, he continued that many of the government school buildings are so constructed that it becomes very difficult for one person to keep an eye in every nook and corner of the campus. Besides these measures would also keep a check on the late comers, he hoped.
Taking up another issue, officials opined that the mechanism would also help in tackling the problem of corporal punishment. This point was echoed by a government school principal who believed that high surveillance would guarantee that no such incident occurs.
However, the teachers seem to be already up in arms against the proposed move terming it as an invasion of their privacy. Government teachers’ union president Vinod Sharma stated, ‘’I think UT instead of spying on teachers should try to improve the academic atmosphere in institutes.’’ He added, ‘’The teachers have a record punctuality of 98% in all schools. They are preachers and to mark a check on them amounts to insulting their credentials.’’ He cautioned, ‘’If this measure is implemented, we will take action against them.’’
’’I don’t like the idea of being watched over all the time. I may not be able to work under constant vigil. Moreover, even the students won’t like it,’’ said a teacher.
—Agencies–