Education Ministry: CCTVs in school toilets a violation of privacy

PETALING JAYA: The installation of close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in students' toilets is a violation of privacy, said the Education Ministry.

In a statement Friday, the ministry said the school concerned, SMK Sri Sentosa in Kuchai Lama here, has been instructed to move the cameras to a more suitable and appropriate location.

"Investigation by the ministry showed that the cameras were only pointing towards the sink and did not cover the whole area in the toilet including the cubicles," the statement said.

The ministry also acknowledged the initiative by the school authorities and the Parent-Teacher Association to put up surveillance cameras to curb vandalism and disciplinary behaviour among students.

"Nevertheless, the installation of CCTV cameras in the toilets should not be condoned because it violates the privacy of the students," the statement said.

It was reported that 64 CCTVs were installed in the school, which has 2,043 students, purportedly to curb vandalism.

On Thursday, the ministry ordered the school to remove CCTVs installed in the school's toilets.

School principal Rahmah Abd Haji earlier defended the move, saying that the CCTVs in the toilets were pointed at the sink, and not toilet cubicles.

However, PTA head Premala Oyen had reportedly said the current PTA team, which only came to office in late March, had not been party to the decision.