Cameras to protect students and schools

Herald Sun, 22 May 2008

A spokesperson for the Victorian Minister for Education, Ms Bronwyn Pike, told the Herald Sun that the installation of surveillance cameras was ‘a matter for individual school councils’. In addition, the Victorian Principals’ Association (VPA) not only supports the idea, but would like to see all new schools fitted with surveillance cameras.

VPA President, Mr Fred Ackerman, believes that hundreds of Victorian schools have reviewed footage from school surveillance cameras when disputes could not be solved. He further believes that school security cameras are ‘a positive step, and a reflection of where we're at in society, as parents and kids want to make sure they feel safe at all times. Using camera footage against bullying is a side benefit that ensures kids think “I'll be more careful about what I do and say”’.

The President of Liberty Victoria, Mr Julian Burnside, believes that monitoring surveillance camera footage ‘in an event of a serious dispute or an act of vandalism is reasonable’ provided that surveillance footage is not constantly monitored without reasonable cause.

Ms Maree Stanley, a spokesperson for the National Centre Against Bullying, supports the use of security cameras, calling them ‘another pair of eyes’. Ms Stanley further said that ‘anything that helps build a safer environment for school kids against bullying has to be a good thing.’

 

 

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