Bhubaneswar: In a bid to enhance student safety, the Odisha government has decided to install CCTV cameras in all schools across the state, following the footsteps of CBSE schools.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond announced that the state government will implement this initiative to ensure a secure environment for students.
“The department is actively discussing the plan and is working towards its immediate implementation. Besides, the government has instructed the formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) in all schools to address cases of sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, in line with the provisions of the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment)”, maintained Gond.
“The state is committed to ensuring the safety and empowerment of women and children in the education system. The protection and well-being of women and children are top priorities. Dedicated helpline numbers have been established to facilitate easy reporting of grievances and complaints, which will be addressed with utmost seriousness,” said Gond, adding that a final decision will be taken after inter-departmental consultations and approval from the state cabinet.
The CBSE has already made it mandatory for all its affiliated schools to install high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio-visual recording capabilities. The directive comes under the “School Safety” section of the Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018, as amended.
