In response to the recent incident of sexual abuse at a school in Badlapur, the Maharashtra government has mandated that all schools across the state install CCTV cameras within the next month. The directive, issued on Wednesday by School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, warns that failure to comply could result in severe penalties, including the revocation of operating licenses.
The directive comes amid widespread protests sparked by the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a Badlapur school, leading to the arrest of a school attendant.
“All private and public schools must adhere to the new guidelines, which require the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations within school premises,” the order stated. Non-compliance could result in actions such as withholding financial grants or even the revocation of the school’s operating license.
The government emphasized that the installation of a comprehensive CCTV network is a proactive step to ensure the safety and security of students, teachers, and staff. The school education department has allocated up to five percent of District Planning and Development Council funds to facilitate the installation of these systems in state-run and aided schools.
According to the directive, CCTV footage must be reviewed at least three times a week, with principals responsible for reporting any suspicious activity to the police. Additionally, school managements are instructed to conduct thorough background checks on all employees, in collaboration with local police. Schools are also required to provide the police with details and photographs of their staff.
The order further mandates the installation of complaint boxes on school premises, allowing students to report concerns anonymously.
A state-level school students’ safety committee, led by the school education commissioner and comprising six additional members, has been established to oversee the implementation of these safety measures. This committee will meet quarterly to review safety protocols and submit reports to the state government.
In a related move, Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who also serves as the guardian minister for the Mumbai suburban district, has requested the deployment of female staff at girls’ washrooms in all schools. He stressed that the entire school premises, excluding washrooms, should be monitored by CCTV cameras, with regular checks by police or beat marshals to ensure their proper functioning.
Lodha also recommended that only women staff members should supervise areas outside girls’ washrooms and that women sanitation workers, who must undergo police verification, should be employed to clean these areas. Furthermore, the minister suggested that a woman staff member be present in all buses, taxis, and vans used for student transportation.