Katie would you like CCTV in your school?

Most schools have CCTV camera outside and inside for the protection of their pupils and staff. Although some people do not believe in CCTV as it might invade others privacy, I believe it is important to have cameras around the school, if only in the busier areas of the school.

The Positives

In my school, CCTV has helped a great deal with many incidents that may not have been resolved if we didn’t have CCTV to determine what actually happened.

For example, if there has been a fight or a fire started then staff can look at the CCTV and see who started it, to avoid someone who may not have done it getting the blame.

Cameras around the school can also find out the culprits for:

• Vandalism
• Bullying Incidents
• Theft
• Pranks i.e fire alarm being set off

In my experience I have found CCTV a good idea, as when I was a victim of bullying; my teacher used it as evidence so he could confront the bully without mentioning that I had said anything to him about her bullying me. Mentioning the cameras and how there are people watching them for any incidents, made her realise that she would not be able to get away with it, in school.

The Negatives

Although, I think cameras are a good idea in schools, I don’t think they are suitable in places such as toilets and changing rooms as they are an invasion of people’s privacy. At my school instead of cameras we have a staff member (of the same sex) who stands by and makes sure everything is ok.

In conclusion, I think that if CCTV is placed in schools, in appropriate areas, I think it could be used effectively to resolve many problems!