Will surveillance cameras impose discipline in schools?

CAIRO - 10 September 2018: Several parliamentarians have recently demanded the Ministry of Education to install surveillance cameras inside classrooms to monitor students' behaviors.

According to parliamentarian statements, these demands were previously voiced during other rounds. Although most Parliament members approved the suggestion, it was never applied because of the Education Ministry’s refusal.

Egypt’s Education Ministry said that the cost of installing surveillance cameras inside the classrooms of the country’s schools will be very high and that the ministry will not be able to afford such cost.

Parliamentarian Eman Khedr, who raised these demands again inside the House of Representatives in the past days, said in statements to media outlets that the ministry should find a way to provide a balanced budget for the cameras. “Although it is a really very high cost, it will protect our children and students; it serves the best interest of everyone,” Khedr said.

She added that installing surveillance cameras will help improve both the students and teachers' behaviors. “Everyone will play his role knowing that there is someone watching,” Khedr explained.

Chairman of the Proposals and Complaints Committee in the House of Representatives, Hamam al-Adli, estimated the surveillance cameras budget at about LE 12 billion.

“The Ministry of Education informed us earlier that LE 12 billion for surveillance cameras only is a cost they won’t be able to handle; however, the idea itself is very important and will make a difference, especially with the deteriorating educational conditions,” Adli said in statements to Egypt Today.

Parliamentarian Magda Nasr said that with the high cost of surveillance cameras, the only alternative solution is to make sure that our children are well-raised to stick to their morals and principles.