Govt circular on SSC & HSC exams: Schools seek funding from govt to install CCTV cameras in classrooms

Ahead of the Maharashtra State Board examinations — Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) — schools and junior colleges designated as examination centres have been instructed to upgrade infrastructure, including installing CCTV cameras in every classroom. However, the move has triggered strong opposition from schools, particularly government-run and aided institutions over absence of clarity on who will bear the financial burden.

A circular issued recently makes it mandatory for all examination centres to provide specified facilities to ensure transparency and smooth conduct of exams. Among the key requirements is the installation of CCTV cameras in every classroom. While school managements welcome the enhanced monitoring, they have raised serious concerns over the lack of funding provisions, especially given the significant costs involved in installing and maintaining CCTV systems. According to aided schools and junior colleges, they are already struggling with inadequate grants, delayed approvals, and pending bills making it difficult to bear more financial burden.

The Maharashtra Purogami Teachers Association (MPTA) has opposed the circular. MPTA state president Tanaji Kamble, said, “Conducting examinations is the responsibility of the government and the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, if CCTV cameras in every classroom are deemed necessary for transparency, then the government must provide complete funding. Issuing orders without allocating funds and shifting the financial burden onto schools, principals, and teachers is unjust.”

The association has submitted representations to the chief minister, education minister, education commissioner, director of education, and senior state board officials, demanding the immediate creation of a separate special fund for CCTV installation and other examination-related facilities.