The Truman Show, playing at a school near you

You are being watched everywhere — there are close circuit television cameras at airports, railway stations, malls and even busy intersections. Of late, they have been watching over corridors and classrooms of several city schools. Do they stifle a child's freedom? Or are they an effective measure to discipline kids? Speak Up goes back to school

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No cheating and better teaching

Experts speak

Every move will be watched

Quite a few educational institutions have already approached us to install cameras at vulnerable points like corridors, libraries, auditoriums, and outside the principal’s  office. Security is an emerging segment and more and more schools are investing in technology for the safety of students.

The principal usually views the footage. We are developing a system called the Radio Frequency Identification Device, which will be used to track a child right from when he boards the school bus till the point he reaches home. SMS alerts sent to parents will appraise them of every move. This way, schools are keeping track of students’ at all times. —Rathin Banerjee.  CEO, Security Solutions Group, Zicom Electronic Security Solutions Ltd

Parent says

Moms can’t be everywhere Children, nowadays, are super-smart. It has become more necessary than ever to track their activities. Schools are for education and there is nothing wrong if children learn it the hard way. The technology will instil discipline in them. However, installing cameras in bathrooms is unacceptable.

The school my daughter studies in has CCTV cameras, and I have no problem with it. In fact, I am tension-free and not worried about what my girl is doing at school. I have complete faith in the principal and the school administration. It's not like students don't have fun because of cameras. Although under surveillance, the principal does not pull them up for little mischief. She only does it when the 'enjoyment' goes out of hand, like if a fight breaks out between students, or if someone is jumping on the bench or destroying school property. In that case, she announces it over a microphone installed in each classroom and the child immediately controls his or her behaviour. —R Bhalla. Parent

Teacher's view

It pressurises teachers

CCTV cameras in classrooms put a lot of pressure on teachers. It can be intimidating for a new teacher to get used to the fact that every move is being monitored. In some cases, the quality of teaching suffers. Also, the cameras are being used to impose unfair rules. For example, a rule made by the school administration states that teachers are not supposed to sit during a lecture.

However, on several occasions, teachers have back-to-back classes for four hours. When students are writing answers, teachers often sit down for a couple of minutes. However, that’s picked up by the cameras and teachers are pulled up for it. It doesn’t end here. Even their staff-room etiquette is monitored and anyone sitting ‘inappropriately’ is reprimanded. —A teacher

Kids speak

Will cameras kill all the fun?

Having cameras all around school means you can’t have fun, talk, enjoy or play in class because the principal is watching. We all have to be on our best behaviour at all  times. —Jayati Agarwal. Class V

We can’t talk when the teacher is in class. So, if cameras are installed, we won't be able to talk even when the teacher is not present. But putting cameras all over the school won't allow us to be ourselves. We won't be able to play any pranks in class, if the principal is constantly watching us. I'm glad we have the freedom in our school, I hope they never install this kind of technology here. —Jayant Rao. Class VIII

My school has cameras in every corner. They were installed to deter students from talking during class or cheating in exams. Through CCTVs, it has become easier for our principal to keep an eye on us. —Karan Vyas.  Class VI

We have CCTVs in school, but that does not stop us from having fun. Cameras are helpful when things go out of control. Knowing that they are being monitored, students make less noise in the corridor and avoid getting into fights. Naughty students are the ones who should be most worried about these CCTVs. Some have been reprimanded for their wayward behaviour. —Rashi B. Class IX

Celeb mom says

Teachers will be under scrutiny, as will students

Installing CCTV cameras in school is a great idea. More than students, it is the teachers who need to be put under surveillance. They would be more accountable knowing that they are under observation. It would prevent them  from beating children up, or meting out unfair punishment. More importantly, it will help to keep a check on the quality of teaching. As far as freedom of kids goes, I don't think having a camera would matter to them.

Even if such a camera had been installed in my school, I wouldn't have thought twice before indulging in some fun or  mischief.

Children don't care about what they are doing, because they never think they are on the wrong side. And that is the advantage of having CCTV cameras. As soon as they do something 'wrong' or unacceptable, the school will reprimand them. I wouldn't mind sending my child to such a school. —Pooja Bedi. Actor

PTA says

Cameras won’t hurt kids

There are many schools in Mumbai that are looking at installing CCTVs. It is a growing trend, as the surveillance cameras act as a check on teachers, and students too. They monitor interaction between teachers and students.

The surveillance doesn’t hamper the development or freedom of the child.

There are many benefits — cameras deter teachers from enforcing corporal punishment and most teachers come better prepared for lectures when they know that they are being watched by the principal. Teachers observe their own videos to see their performance and improve. This allows them to constantly upgrade their teaching methods. Even parents are welcoming cameras, as they assist academic performance and discipline. —Arundhati Chavan. President, PTA United Forum