Capital schools get CCTV

According to Mohammed Younes, Information and Communications Technology manager at the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the cameras were installed last year in 20 newly-built and refurbished schools in Cycle 1 (Grades 1-5) and Kindergarten.

This year, the cameras will be installed in Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12) schools.

“Cameras (were) installed in new and refurbished schools across all cycles and are being installed in existing schools in phases. Currently, we are in phase 1 for existing schools and that includes only Cycle 3,” said a statement from the ADEC’s Infrastructure and Facilities Section.

Younes said that the cameras were installed in open areas only, including hallways, gates and playground, and not inside the classroom. The number of security cameras depends on the “size, configuration and area of the school.”

According to the ADEC, “there was no particular incident that warranted such measure, however installing CCTVs has proven to help control student behaviour, thus helping maintain a secure and sound environment for the school.”

The monitoring screens will be located at the principal’s office and will be reviewed after school hours.

Asked if parents are comfortable with the security cameras at their children’s schools, Younes assured that “parents are very supportive.”

More than 127,000 students are currently enrolled at 265 public schools across the emirate; 123 schools in Abu Dhabi, 111 in Al Ain and 31 in Al Gharbiya.

For the 2012-2013 academic year, the ADEC has opened two new Cycle 1 schools and three new KGs, and evacuated six old school buildings.

Twenty-four green schools are also planned to be constructed this year and construction will be completed in phases.

Last year, the ADEC opened 21 new KG and school buildings and refurbished eight old schools.

By 2018, the Council plans to build 100 schools and replace old ones with modern and sustainable school buildings across the emirate.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com