Bangalore: The city police is pressing for surveillance cameras and vigilance officers even in government schools, where basic priorities remain sanitation and drinking water. This could set the stage for a face off with the Department of Public Instruction.

The latest District Information System for Education (DISE) statistics reveal that 491 elementary and secondary schools run by the government in Bangalore (north, south and rural educational districts) do not have compound walls. A total of 849 schools do not have ramps for schoolchildren.

“Installation of CCTVs, for example, is not the priority in government schools. What is the first priority? It should be provision of clean drinking water, sanitation and repairs,” said Commissioner for Public Instruction Mohammad Mohsin.

Statistics show that of the nearly 10,000 classrooms available in government schools in and around the city, 2,187 are in need of repairs. While most of the schools are shown to have separate toilets for boys and girls, their usability has been questioned quite often.

Mohsin believes the guidelines are more apt for private schools. “There are so many government schools and the system we have is different. Anybody can walk in and find out what is happening, whereas there is no transparency in private schools,” he said.

When asked if implementing the guidelines is feasible in government schools, Mohsin said it can be done if the Home Department provides the money.