BENGALURU: Several private schools in the city are rankled by police notices asking them to deploy security devices like door frame metal detectors, hand-held detectors and CCTV cameras with specific resolution, as per the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017.
The notice issued says schools are ‘establishments’ as defined by the 2017 Act and that they are ‘duty bound’ to install the safety and security gadgets enumerated in the same.Under these, door frame metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors have to deployed in schools. Also, CCTV cameras with resolution to 50 yards have to be placed.
As per the notice, every establishment must have one employee from an outsourcing agency trained in operating electronic devices like access control and CCTVs. The cameras should run 24/7 and have 30-day storage facility. They should cover the approach areas at entry and exit points of establishments and parking lots. The footage should not be shared with unauthorised persons and the cost has to be borne by the management.
“When a similar rule was brought in by the then police commissioner in 2014, we had opposed and challenged it in the high court. The court had given an order that a comprehensive protection policy be brought by the women and child welfare department. While this policy is in place since 2017, it is unfair for police to bring in yet another rule,” said D Shashi Kumar, secretary, Association of Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka.
“When government schools do not have any of these facilities, it’s unfair for them to expect private schools alone to have them. Ours is not a public place. Why do we need metal detectors,” he asked.
While several schools in Bengaluru South education district confirmed having received the notice on Saturday, school associations are expecting that all institutions in Bengaluru will get it soon.
“When police stations and government schools themselves do not have these facilities, why do they expect private schools to have them? Many of us are budget schools. We cannot pass on the burden of installing these unnecessary security measures on our parents. First, let the government implement these in its own house, then let them order us,” said a school principal.
‘In best interest of schools’
A senior IPS officer told TOI that the notice has been issued in the best interest of private schools. “Whenever there is a case of child abuse or corporal punishment or any other offence is reported on school premises, we look for CCTV footage for better investigation. Government schools too will have CCTVs in near future. In popular educational institutions, one can find CCTVs fitted even inside classrooms,” he said.
The notice issued says schools are ‘establishments’ as defined by the 2017 Act and that they are ‘duty bound’ to install the safety and security gadgets enumerated in the same.Under these, door frame metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors have to deployed in schools. Also, CCTV cameras with resolution to 50 yards have to be placed.
As per the notice, every establishment must have one employee from an outsourcing agency trained in operating electronic devices like access control and CCTVs. The cameras should run 24/7 and have 30-day storage facility. They should cover the approach areas at entry and exit points of establishments and parking lots. The footage should not be shared with unauthorised persons and the cost has to be borne by the management.
“When a similar rule was brought in by the then police commissioner in 2014, we had opposed and challenged it in the high court. The court had given an order that a comprehensive protection policy be brought by the women and child welfare department. While this policy is in place since 2017, it is unfair for police to bring in yet another rule,” said D Shashi Kumar, secretary, Association of Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka.
“When government schools do not have any of these facilities, it’s unfair for them to expect private schools alone to have them. Ours is not a public place. Why do we need metal detectors,” he asked.
While several schools in Bengaluru South education district confirmed having received the notice on Saturday, school associations are expecting that all institutions in Bengaluru will get it soon.
“When police stations and government schools themselves do not have these facilities, why do they expect private schools to have them? Many of us are budget schools. We cannot pass on the burden of installing these unnecessary security measures on our parents. First, let the government implement these in its own house, then let them order us,” said a school principal.
‘In best interest of schools’
A senior IPS officer told TOI that the notice has been issued in the best interest of private schools. “Whenever there is a case of child abuse or corporal punishment or any other offence is reported on school premises, we look for CCTV footage for better investigation. Government schools too will have CCTVs in near future. In popular educational institutions, one can find CCTVs fitted even inside classrooms,” he said.