China orders CCTV cameras for ‘hidden’ spots in schools like storerooms and rooftops to combat bullying

SINGAPORE: Surveillance cameras will be installed in places like corridors, store rooms and rooftops of all primary and secondary schools in China as the government seeks to stamp out bullying and campus violence.

The move to “fully watch over” schools swiftly drew mixed views from educators after China’s Education Ministry put up the notice on Friday (May 31).

Some felt bullying would simply shift outside of campuses, while others said teachers would be better able to monitor it in secluded areas of school compounds.

As for technology providers who stand to gain from the measure, the discussion is already moving to surveillance for toilets and what methods would be too intrusive.

In its notice, the Ministry of Education instructed each school to set up a management committee to deal with campus violence and publish contact information such as phone numbers and emails of relevant officials to report cases to. 

The notice also instructed local education departments to develop guidelines for teachers and parents on matters such as counselling.  

The directives come as deaths from school bullying incidents spark debate and outrage in China. In March, a 13-year-old boy in the northern province of Hebei was allegedly killed and buried by three classmates.

That same month, a 14-year-old girl in Fujian jumped to her death after suspected bullying.

More recently, the parents of a 15-year-old girl in Hunan shared a distressing video of their daughter slashing herself to escape acts of violence by her classmates.

DETERRENCE, OR NOT A REAL SOLUTION?

Teachers in China told CNA some schools already deploy closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in classrooms, which are beneficial in some ways.

A primary school form teacher in Guangzhou said over half of the 50 classrooms in her school have surveillance cameras installed.

The decision was jointly made by form teachers and the parents’ committee, added the teacher, who asked to be known as Ms Ou.

“If the majority of parents are agreeable, a CCTV would be installed in the class for them to keep watch," said the Chinese language teacher with over 26 years of experience.

While her classroom does not have CCTVs, she has asked class monitors to help film students using her phone when she is not physically present – such as when students are queuing up for their afternoon nap. This enables her to monitor the situation, said Ms Ou.

"Most children still need a pair of eyes on them to behave,” she added. Surveillance footage serves “as a deterrent and provides evidence in case incidents occur".

The Shandong-based China Association of Anti-Campus Bullying firmly supported the ministry’s plan and agreed that cameras would help deter bullies.

Bullying tends to happen in secluded areas of campuses, and using technology to monitor these areas will “help teachers and staff to notice such acts sooner to prevent further harm”, the ground-up initiative said.

Guangzhou high school teacher Lin Feng, however, felt surveillance cameras were not a real solution.

“If the bullies know there are CCTVs in schools, they will choose to carry out harmful actions outside of the campus,” he said.

Installing surveillance cameras would only absolve schools and the authorities of their responsibility, he argued. "The best effort is still implementing anti-bullying education, and empowering victims and bystanders.”

Increasing penalties for bullying could also be helpful, Mr Lin suggested.

WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY CONCERNS?

The Ministry of Education did not spell out measures to protect the privacy of individuals in its notice.

In the wake of high-profile bullying cases, there is growing attention on using technology to tackle the scourge.

Guangdong Zhilian Chuanghe Technology told CNA it has installed cameras at more than 10 schools including primary schools and universities.

If enquiries from commercial and public entities are any indication, restrooms could be the next spaces to be monitored, a spokesperson said.

In general, surveillance of toilets is still in its early phase, said the company, which has been in business for over 20 years.

“Our artificial intelligence (AI) system was launched in January, and there are suppliers enquiring about installing voice recording systems in toilets,” she said. “However, due to privacy concerns, we have not installed any such systems yet.”

The Education Ministry made no mention of surveillance of restrooms in its notice.

The Chinese authorities are trying to boost students’ mental health in other ways.

The government recently announced a campaign to tackle excessive homework and bullying. It also issued a notice detailing 12 negative practices in schools such as actions that eat into students’ scheduled breaks, neglect and tolerance of bullying behaviour.

In April, China’s top legislature vowed tougher discipline of minors who bully. Those who commit serious offences will be sent to specialised educational institutions or be subjected to public security penalties or criminal charges, reported the state news outlet Global Times.

Mr Yang Heqing, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said parents, schools and education authorities play a role in preventing campus bullying.