The Ministry of Education’s decision to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in certain secondary schools has sparked debate within the education community.
The move, aimed at tackling misconduct within school premises, particularly during non-operational hours, has drawn scrutiny from the OELMEK teachers’ union.
The Ministry’s pilot initiative involves installing CCTV in ten schools initially, evenly split between primary and secondary levels.
However, OELMEK has voiced concerns over the selection criteria used for the secondary schools chosen for the program.
According to OELMEK, the selected schools do not fit the criteria for being considered “high-risk” establishments, as claimed by the Ministry.
Instead, the union suggests that other schools, frequently targeted by delinquents and vandals, should have been prioritized.
The issue prompted OELMEK’s Secretary to correspond with the Deputy Director of Secondary Education, expressing reservations about the selected schools and seeking clarification on certain points.
Notably, OELMEK highlighted one school included in the CCTV installation list, arguing that its location in an area with a strong police presence does not warrant its classification as high-risk, especially considering the absence of significant damages to its facilities.
Furthermore, OELMEK emphasized the importance of precise language, rejecting the Ministry’s wording regarding the responsible personnel for the CCTV operation and proposing an alternative phrasing.
In response to the controversy, Deputy Director Stelios Theofilou clarified that the initiative is in its pilot phase, with the initial selection of schools based on specific criteria.
However, he assured that the program would be expanded to include 50 schools in a subsequent phase, following evaluation.
The debate underscores differing perspectives within the education sector regarding the prioritization of schools for enhanced security measures and the need for transparency in decision-making processes.security measures. closed-circuit television systems, secondary schools, OELMEK teachers’ union
