149 out of 200 residential schools nationwide now have CCTV installed to boost student safety.
PETALING JAYA: Roughly 75% of fully residential schools nationwide have completed the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems under the Education Ministry’s safety initiative, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that 149 out of 200 schools had been equipped with CCTV so far, as part of efforts to strengthen student safety and improve monitoring in key areas within school compounds.
Cameras have been installed in public zones such as hostel corridors, stairways, dining halls, study rooms, ironing areas, and isolated outdoor spots, but not in private spaces.
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“The ministry stresses that CCTV will not be placed in bedrooms, toilets, or changing areas as this could compromise students’ dignity and privacy,” Wong said.
He added that each system has a price ceiling of RM15,000, with technical specifications and data storage requirements – including a minimum 30-day retention period – set by the ministry.
Standard operating procedures (SOP) for installation, use, and access to recordings have also been finalised to ensure a balance between safety and privacy.”
“School administrators are responsible for maintaining all equipment and ensuring that the systems function according to the prescribed technical standards,” Wong said in response to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who had asked about the number of CCTVs installed under the initiative.
In a separate response to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who questioned how contractors were selected for the project, Wong said the procurement process was carried out transparently by the state education departments (JPN) through the government’s ePerolehan system.
“The procurement is conducted openly by the respective JPN, district education offices, or schools, depending on their circumstances.”
Wong reiterated that the ministry was committed to ensuring proper oversight of all safety-related infrastructure while maintaining transparency in its procurement procedures.
