Bengaluru: With safety and security of students being discussed across institutions pan India, the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has ordered all colleges in the state to install CCTV cameras in all classrooms within a month.
"All colleges government, private and aided should procure CCTV cameras in all classrooms within one month, following the norms in the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act (1999). The decision has been taken as per the directions of the Karnataka State Women's Commission to ensure students' safety," read the circular issued by M.N. Ajay Nagabhushan, commissioner of the department.
The principal of a renowned degree college in the city said that such a decision should have been taken with the consent of students as well as they are also key stakeholders. "While installing CCTV cameras are good to ensure safety, maintaining them for a long period of time is a major hurdle. As the notification mentions various funds from which colleges can spend for installing them, what has the department decided to ensure costs towards maintaining them and ensuring that they work in good condition," he asked.
Student leaders, however, had mixed reactions to the order. Ravinandan B.B., state vice-president, AIDSO, believed that such a decision is not a necessity but a challenge to student privacy. "With CCTV cameras even inside classrooms, surveillance has gone beyond necessity. While a huge number of colleges in the state lack basic facilities to provide quality education, more investment should have been made to improve the academic atmosphere rather than spending more to keep an eye on students," he said. Unpleasant incidents within a classroom are rare and the decision is totally unnecessary, he said.
On the contrary, Manjunath H.S., state president, NSUI, said that the presence of CCTVs will help girl students. "As strict measures against ragging are being taken by colleges, unpleasant activities used to happen in classrooms lately. This move will ensure security and will also help managements track the attendance and efficiency of lecturers," he said.
