RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has begun installing CCTV cameras in public and private schools across Rawalpindi to strengthen student safety and improve round-the-clock surveillance through the Safe City Authority’s network.
Read More: Education department to hire 1000 security guards for Rawalpindi
District Education Authority (DEA) Chief Executive Officer Tariq Mehmood said that installation work had so far been completed in 48 schools. He added that the cameras were being linked directly to the Safe City system, allowing continuous monitoring by trained staff.
According to the DEA, the district has 162 public-sector and 133 private schools. Educational institutions have been categorised into A-plus and A groups based on student strength, with schools having over 2,000 students placed in the A-plus category.
Mr Mehmood explained that cameras had been installed at entrance and exit points as well as along boundary walls. The initiative has been launched under the Punjab government’s Safe Punjab project to ensure a secure learning environment.
He said that winter vacations, which began on December 22, would be used to complete the installation work. Schools are scheduled to reopen on January 11, by which time all remaining institutions are expected to be connected to the Safe City network.
The DEA has also issued 14-point security measures and standard operating procedures for all schools. These include mandatory boundary walls at least eight feet high with barbed wire, functional CCTV systems with backup power, metal detectors and verified security guards.
Schools have additionally been instructed to maintain visitors’ registers, display emergency contact numbers prominently and conduct safety drills. Dedicated monitoring teams have been formed to ensure compliance in coordination with the Safe City Authority.
Read More: Commissioner visits SSC exam centers to review arrangements
A senior official from the Punjab Safe City Authority said the integration of school surveillance with the central monitoring system would significantly enhance overall security. He added that similar connectivity was being expanded to offices, markets and commercial areas across the province.