Pimpri: Municipal schools are still without CCTV cameras, despite the government mandate requiring their installation for student safety.

Reports indicate that while the state government issued an ordinance in 2016 mandating CCTV surveillance in all schools, many newly constructed school buildings lack the necessary cameras. This includes critical areas like classrooms for both boys and girls, where surveillance is particularly important.

The issue has been further exacerbated by administrative delays. The Education Department has failed to forward proposals for CCTV installation to the Electrical Department, resulting in delays in equipping schools with the required surveillance infrastructure.

The need for functional CCTV cameras in schools was underscored by a recent case of abuse involving minor girls at a school in Badlapur, which prompted the municipal administration to revisit the issue. While many municipal schools have complied with the ordinance, others remain without operational cameras.

Despite the widespread lack of CCTV cameras, most school principals have not formally raised the issue with the Education Department. Many primary and secondary municipal schools either have non-operational cameras or have not installed new ones in newly constructed buildings. This absence of complaints means that department heads remain largely unaware of the problem.

A prime example of the issue is Kasarwadi Secondary School, which currently has no CCTV cameras installed in key areas such as classrooms and washrooms. Parents have been complaining for over a year about the lack of cameras, which poses a direct threat to student safety.

In addition, schools like Nehrunagar’s primary school, Phugewadi’s secondary school, and schools in areas like Chinchwad and Keshavnagar are also without cameras.

The Education Department has acknowledged the issue, but the process of forwarding proposals to the Electrical Department for installation has been slow.

According to Sangeeta Bangar, Administrative Officer of the Education Department, efforts are underway to gather information on which schools are yet to install CCTV cameras.