CCTV Cameras limited in Israeli Education

New regulations issued by the Israeli Education Ministry states that CCTV cameras will no longer be installed in kindergartens, and no longer allowed in classrooms or gyms in schools. A ministry document also states that the installation of the CCTV cameras is an addition to on duty teachers during recess not a replacement. The decision will be up to the principle and members of staff to have cameras installed within their premises, not up to local authorities.

The document not yet published, outlines the new rules and is currently being scrutinized by the Justice Ministry. However, Hannah Shadmi, the head of the Education Ministry’s Psychological Counselling Service, made details of the document public at a conference in Hod Hasharon, on child and family rights at Sha’arei Mishpat College.

Before a camera can be installed, the Education Ministry will need to hear from the principle, why it is necessary to have them installed and what other steps were taken into consideration to help prevent violence on school grounds. Principles are limited to using the camera’s to prevent violence and not for the purpose of following students who are not attending their classes.

The new regulations states the maximum resolution of the cameras and when they can operate. Voice recording will be strictly prohibited, with principals being required to inform teachers and parents that cameras have been installed. The Education Ministry currently has no body directly responsible for the supervision of cameras in schools. 

In response to a query from Haaretz a few months ago, the Education Ministry said: “The Internet questionnaire on the issue of the atmosphere in the school and the reduction of violence asks principals if there are cameras installed in their school. The data reveals that out of 1,644 elementary schools, 36 percent said they have cameras and out of 914 post-elementary schools, 58 percent said they had cameras installed.”