NEWS: Of security and surveillance

IF discipline and safety are causes for concern in some double-session schools, imagine the scenario when more than 1,000 students congregate in a single-session school.

“Ensuring the safety of students in single-session schools is challenging due to the sheer numbers,” said Wesley Methodist School principal Vimala Matthews.
Matthews explaining the decision to set up CCTVs in her school.

“Although students are safe within the school compound, unfortunate cases have happened after school hours. For instance, some have been mugged at the nearby LRT station.”

In response, the school employed four security guards to man the school’s main and rear entrances. Teachers played their part too, as they took turns to be on duty to keep an eye on students during recess.

In time, CCTV surveillance was also implemented.

“This was not a knee-jerk reaction — there was a lot of planning involved,” mused Vimala. “The students’ security is our responsibility and the cameras record what goes on in all corners — at the back of the school, in the corridors, sporting and lab facilities.

“The idea of CCTV surveillance was not well received by some students at first as they felt it was an intrusion into their privacy. However, most parents welcomed it. Students must realise how precious they are and understand that some decisions are made in their best interest.”

While safeguarding the students and school property was the original objective, CCTV surveillance has also captured some disconcerting moments.

“The cameras once captured a student couple hugging,” laughed Vimala. “Although there are still some ‘blind spots’ in the school, students are more wary about getting into mischief because they know that they might be watched.”

That said, more and more schools are jumping onto the surveillance bandwagon and SMK(P) Sri Aman has also employed this precautionary measure.

Their security system? A whopping 17 CCTV cameras!