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School classroom CCTV raises privacy fears
Evening Standard10 Oct 2008
A secondary school has installed CCTV cameras in its classrooms, raising privacy concerns from teaching unions.
King Solomon High, Barkingside, has had nine cameras fitted which they say are “mainly” to prevent theft after a rash of break-ins.
However, more than half the teachers say they are also to keep an eye on students' behaviour.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers criticised the move, saying it was an invasion of privacy but the school denied monitoring pupils.
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, added that while CCTV could help reduce violence, it should be “strictly controlled”.
Reader views (6)
As long as it stays away from classrooms!
My children will not be atending any school with cameras installed as its totally un lawfull and the people who wish to introduce this should be arrested for invasion of privacy!
At the end of the day i dont go into a school and film classrooms and even if i tried to take a picture of my own child i would be aressted! no body is above the law we the people are the owners of the goverment dont let them abuse you!
- Dave, Leicester UK, 01/10/2009 16:32
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I am a teacher at a school (secondary ) where cameras have been installed, Criminal behaviour in classes, if any, have not changed nor has the behaviour of the students. However the classrooms (all 48) are being constantly watched by the so-called management of the school and that constitutes as an invasion of the privacy of the teacher and the students. My objection to this constant monitoring is that it is not used as it was intended for security reasons but now, more like reality TV, at the expense of the teachers who bust their guts trying to teach. Each comment carefully noted (of the teachers ) but the students behaviour remain unchanged....
- Dee, South Africa, 01/10/2009 15:32
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What a puke-making, sicko thing to do. People who co-operate in their imprisonment deserve no freedom, because they have forfeited it on everyone else's behalf. Surveillance cameras are far too numerous - I hope some of the kids smash the things to pieces and seize back their privacy. Next up - Telescreens in every home?
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE ., 01/10/2009 15:32
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They sound monitor children if only to show their parents what their "angels" are really up to!
- Charlie, London, 01/10/2009 15:32
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Unpleasant though this may be, many kids even from a young age are violent bullying little thugs who would think nothing of causing criminal damage to school property.
There was an incident at my daughter's primary school where a pupil in YR5 urinated in a teachers handbag just because she had said something that upset him.
And this was at one of the best performing primary's in the country.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 01/10/2009 15:32
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i expect the yobs won't like it but children who feel vulnerable and afraid in school will be reassured that troublemakers won't have carte blanche to disrupt the education of others!
- Seb, london, 01/10/2009 15:32
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