Cameras on campus! It may sound odd. But, looks like it has become the norm. Private schools and colleges vouch for the efficacy of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) on their campuses.
While heads of institutions opine that the cameras are useful, teachers and students beg to differ. Jacob, a professor, says, “CCTV cameras will be useful in hotels, shopping malls, hospitals and factories, but not in educational institutions. Students will try mischievous acts only outside campus, away from the watchful eyes of teachers.”
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Vimala, a teacher, says cameras in corridors probably discourage persons from loitering, but they “encroach upon privacy” in staff rooms and office rooms.
Lady Doak College Principal Mercy Pushpalatha says it helps in many ways. “Not just in ensuring that discipline is maintained on campus by keeping a constant watch, but helps in solving mischief committed on the campus. Unauthorised entry can be instantly checked.”
Thiagarajar College secretary Uma Kannan says, “In my experience, CCTV cameras are indispensable in factories, hospitals or commercial establishments than in educational institutions. We have them in our institutions for the purpose of safety. But, a majority of the students tend to commit mischief outside the campus, such as bus stops.”
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A help for students
A postgraduate student of a college says CCTV footage helps in retrieval of missing property in hostels. Recalling an instance where CCTV surveillance came in handy, he says there was a wordy altercation between two groups of students a few months ago which led to damaging of two-wheelers of one of the groups. CCTV footage revealed that some outsiders, engaged by the rival group, were the real culprits.
Mahatma Schools Senior Principal S. Premalatha says cameras installed in front of all entry points record happenings on the approach roads as well. Recently, the footage of one such camera even helped the police in identifying a culprit who snatched a gold chain from a woman walking down the road. The cameras help in keeping track of people accompanying the students and the vehicles they use, she says.
“Strict discipline
will do”
Differing with these views, Vickram College of Engineering chairman M.K.S. Sreenivasan says strict discipline on campus obviates the need for CCTV surveillance.
Police officers suggest that cameras are a must in educational institutions as they would instil confidence in students to move around freely and discourage those intending to commit any wrong.
According to data available with the police, 23 colleges, 56 schools, eight technical training institutes and 14 hostels for working men and women in the city and peripheries have CCTV cameras.
We have them in our institutions for the purpose of safety. But, a majority of the students tend to commit mischief outside the campus, such as
bus stops
Uma Kannan
secretary, Thiagarajar College
Cameras have been installed in front of all entry points to our school; CCTV surveillance helps in keeping track of people accompanying students and the vehicles they use
S. Premalatha
Senior Principal, Mahatma Schools