Maharashtra schools must install CCTV cameras to curb sexual harassment cases: Varsha Gaikwad

NEW DELHI: In a bid to curb sexual harassment incidents, Maharashtra school education minister Varsha Gaikwad on Friday ordered that all schools must install CCTV cameras.

Speaking in the Legislative Council, the state school education minister said there are some 65,000 schools in the state comprising state run, state funded, private ones and those attached to various education boards.

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"All these schools must deploy CCTV cameras to put a check on sexual harassment. We will make it mandatory for schools to support the CCTV cameras with a hard-drive so that daily footage can be recorded and made available if required for inquiry,” she said.

Gaikwad tweeted, “Health and safety of our students is of paramount importance. To enhance safety features for our students in schools, we have come up with some additional measures. Announced these in the state Legislative Council today.”

Health and safety of our students is of paramount importance. To enhance safety features for our students in schools, we have come up with some additional measures. Announced these in the state Legislative Council today. pic.twitter.com/tXZbQngFPA

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) March 25, 2022

“Schools will have to set up 'Sakhi Savitri' committees comprising principal, woman teacher, doctor, anganwadi worker, male and female students to maintain school decorum and, if needed, to carry out inquiry as well. Names of members must be prominently displayed in schools,” she added. Gaikwad said the school education commissioner will oversee the functioning of these committees.

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“By next academic year, we intend to ensure all schools and junior colleges have functional CCTVs installed on campus. On April 7, 2016, the state had directed all private schools to install CCTVs on their premises. Directives to strictly enforce this by start of new academic year will be issued,” the minister said.

“It is important our students have the right kind of awareness. For this, good and bad touch workshops will be conducted across schools. It will be mandatory for all schools to install a complaint box on their campus, attendance will be marked twice during a school day,” she further said in a tweet.