Abu Dhabi private schools to be inspected for surveillance systems

 Private schools across the emirate of Abu Dhabi will be inspected from Monday onwards to ensure that they have implemented a digital security surveillance system, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced in a statement.

Schools were given a deadline to install the system, consisting of closed circuit television cameras, in specified locations before August 2013, and a third-party private company specialised in the field will now audit them.

“Setting up proper cameras in private schools comes in line with Adec’s mission to help safeguard pupils, teachers and the school community as a whole. It is vital that schools comply with all the standards related to maintaining and monitoring the device, which will, in return, greatly reduce the risk of accidents and unfortunate incidents,” Hamad Al Dhaheri, executive director for private schools and quality assurance, Adec, said.

During their visit, the inspection team will check site drawings and camera locations, access to areas where cameras are installed, monitoring rooms and equipment, user manuals and other details.

According to Adec guidelines, cameras must be located in pick up and drop off areas, landscapes, entrances and lobbies, building access points, elevators, emergency exits, corridors, staircases, canteens, kitchen exits, laboratories, auditoriums, play areas, sports halls, swimming pools, school buses and other locations that do not interfere with child and staff privacy.