Maharashtra Installs Over 89,000 CCTV Cameras in Schools to Enhance Student Safety and POCSO Compliance

Mumbai:

The Maharashtra government reaffirmed their dedication to bolstering school safety on Thursday, announcing that over 89,000 educational institutions across the state now have CCTV cameras installed, with plans to further expand surveillance infrastructure in remaining schools.

During a session at the State Legislative Assembly addressing student security concerns, School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse referenced a Government Resolution (GR) from May 13 that required all schools—government, aided, and private—to install CCTV systems, following earlier Bombay High Court directives on strengthening child protection mechanisms.

"The implementation has resulted in CCTV installations at approximately 60,049 local body government schools and 29,049 private institutions, covering a substantial portion of schools across the state," Bhuse reported.

Addressing safety infrastructure concerns, he emphasized that this initiative forms part of a broader strategy to enhance compliance with POCSO Act guidelines, establish dedicated school safety committees, and improve reporting mechanisms for safety violations.

The minister noted increased awareness and compliance with child protection standards throughout Maharashtra.

Bhuse highlighted progress in digital monitoring systems, reporting that 45,677 teaching and non-teaching staff have been enrolled in the state's Teachers-Staff Database, strengthening background verification processes and enhancing accountability in schools.

Additionally, 4,888 schools have completed registration on the state's School Portal, enabling real-time monitoring of safety compliance and institutional activities. Bhuse described this digital platform as essential infrastructure for reporting, conducting audits, and facilitating communication between schools and regulatory authorities.

Emphasizing community participation, the minister informed the Assembly that 103,665 School Safety Committees have been established across Maharashtra, alongside 103,703 Parent-Teacher Associations, ensuring greater parental involvement in safety oversight. He added that 103,703 schools have formally confirmed adherence to POCSO Act provisions and child protection guidelines.

When opposition members questioned the implementation pace, Bhuse acknowledged challenges in uniformly deploying CCTV and other safety protocols but assured continued efforts to complete installations in remaining schools and address infrastructure gaps.

He highlighted specific state allocations for security enhancements in tribal and remote area schools, including a dedicated Rs 18 crore for CCTV installations in Tribal Development Department ashram schools.

Opposition legislators urged faster implementation, noting some schools remain non-compliant despite court mandates and assembly directives. Bhuse responded, "Regional education offices have been instructed to expedite installation work urgently; there will be strict monitoring to ensure adherence to safety standards."

Assembly members expressed strong views regarding comprehensive student safety measures, including staff background checks and improved community reporting systems, emphasizing child protection as a priority for both government and civil society.

The minister's assurances come amid continued advocacy from parents and legal activists for concrete safety measures in schools, particularly following high court interventions that identified gaps in protective infrastructure, including CCTV coverage and transport safety systems in many government-run schools.