SCHOOL POLICY

• AKSIPS GROUP OF SMART SCHOOLS

  CCTV & Audio-Visual Recording Policy

  Approved by: School Management/Trust

  Applicable to: All Students, Teaching Staff, Non-Teaching Staff, Visitors and Contractors

  1. Purpose

  AKSIPS Group of Smart Schools uses CCTV and audio-visual recording systems as part of its commitment to maintaining a safe, secure and child-friendly educational environment.

  The primary purposes of the system are:

  safeguarding students and staff;

  preventing and investigating incidents of bullying, violence, abuse, harassment or misconduct;

  monitoring entry, exit and movement within the school premises;

  assisting in the investigation of complaints or safety incidents;

  protecting school property and infrastructure; and

  complying with applicable CBSE safety and security requirements.

  The system shall not be used for unnecessary or intrusive surveillance of students or employees.

  2. Areas Covered

  CCTV cameras may be installed in:

  classrooms;

  laboratories;

  libraries;

  corridors and staircases;

  entrances and exits;

  playgrounds and other common areas;

  canteens; and

  other areas where surveillance is considered necessary for safety and security.

  Cameras shall not be installed in toilets, bathrooms, changing rooms or other areas where individuals have a heightened expectation of privacy.

  3. Audio-Visual Recording

  Where the school`s CCTV system is configured for audio-visual recording, audio may be recorded along with video for the legitimate purposes specified in this policy and in accordance with applicable CBSE requirements and law.

  Audio recordings shall not be used for the purpose of routinely monitoring or analysing private conversations of students or staff.

  The recording system shall not be used to create, collect or retain recordings for purposes unrelated to school safety, safeguarding, security or legitimate investigation.

  4. Notice and Transparency

  The school shall inform students, parents/guardians and employees that CCTV/audio-visual recording is operational on the school premises.

  Appropriate signage shall be displayed at relevant locations, stating that the area is under CCTV/audio-visual surveillance.

  The school shall make this policy available to parents, employees and other relevant stakeholders.

  5. Access to Recordings

  Recorded material shall be treated as confidential.

  Access shall be restricted to authorised persons designated by the School Management, such as:

  Principal/Head of School;

  authorised members of School Management;

  designated safeguarding/child-protection personnel; and

  authorised technical/security personnel where necessary.

  Teachers, students, parents or other persons shall not independently access, copy, photograph, download or circulate CCTV recordings.

  6. Disclosure of Recordings

  Recordings may be reviewed or disclosed where reasonably necessary for:

  investigation of a school incident;

  student safeguarding;

  disciplinary proceedings;

  responding to a complaint;

  compliance with a lawful direction or request from a competent authority;

  police investigation; or

  court or other legal proceedings.

  Where footage is supplied to an external authority, the school should maintain a record of the disclosure wherever practicable.

  7. Retention

  CCTV recordings shall ordinarily be retained for at least the period required under applicable CBSE requirements and thereafter securely overwritten/deleted, unless:

  an incident has been reported;

  the recording is relevant to an investigation;

  the recording is required for disciplinary proceedings; or

  preservation is required by law or by a competent authority.

  Where a particular recording is required beyond the normal retention period, it shall be securely preserved only for as long as reasonably necessary.

  8. Protection of Children`s Privacy

  The school recognises that recordings may contain the images and voices of children.

  Accordingly:

  recordings shall be accessed only for legitimate school purposes;

  recordings shall not be published on social media;

  recordings shall not be circulated through WhatsApp or other informal channels;

  recordings shall not be used for publicity or promotional purposes without appropriate consent/authority;

  unnecessary copying or downloading shall be prohibited; and

  reasonable technical and organisational safeguards shall be maintained against unauthorised access.

  9. Monitoring of Teachers and Employees

  The CCTV system is principally a safety and safeguarding mechanism and shall not ordinarily be used for continuous or intrusive surveillance of an employee`s private conduct or conversations.

  Where a recording indicates possible misconduct, negligence, abuse, harassment, violence or breach of school rules, the school may review the relevant footage and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable service rules and law.

  10. Complaints and Requests

  A parent/guardian, student or employee who believes that a recording is relevant to a genuine safety, safeguarding or disciplinary concern may submit a written request to the Principal/authorised officer.

  The school may review the relevant footage and determine whether disclosure is appropriate, taking into account:

  the purpose for which the footage was requested;

  the privacy and safeguarding interests of other children and individuals appearing in the recording;

  applicable law; and

  any investigation or legal proceeding.

  The school may decline to provide a copy of footage where disclosure could compromise another child`s privacy, an ongoing investigation or legal proceedings.

  11. Security of the CCTV System

  The school shall take reasonable measures to protect recordings against:

  unauthorised access;

  copying or downloading;

  alteration or deletion;

  unauthorised disclosure; and

  cyber-security threats.

  Passwords, access credentials and system permissions shall be restricted to authorised personnel.

  12. Policy Review

  This policy shall be reviewed periodically and whenever there is a material change in:

  CBSE requirements;

  applicable privacy/data-protection law;

  child-safeguarding requirements; or

  the school`s CCTV/audio-visual infrastructure.

  13. Declaration

  The AKSIPS Group of Smart Schools considers CCTV and audio-visual recording to be an important component of maintaining a safe and secure educational environment. The system shall be operated responsibly, proportionately and with due regard to the dignity, privacy and safety of students and staff.

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