Installation Of CCTV Cameras In Educational Institution To Be Made Compulsory: J-K Education Minister

Following serious concern over the drug addiction of the young generation, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Monday declared that installation of CCTV cameras in and around educational institutions would be made compulsory.

She also stressed conducting regular health and behavioral screening in schools and colleges for early detection and timely guidance of students at risk.

Itoo, Minister of Health and Medical Education, and Social Welfare, said this in a stakeholders' meeting here on the issue of agitating drug de-addiction in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The meeting, which comprised senior police and civil officials as well as representatives of NGOs and civil society members, was seriously concerned about the rampant use of drugs among children and youth of the Union Territory.

 

"The installation of CCTV cameras inside and around schools and colleges would become mandatory to keep an eye on things and prevent illegal drug circulation," the minister said.

She also advocated the setting up of monitoring committees at the community level consisting of parents, civil society members, and religious leaders to be coordinated by the school education department.

 

The committees will have to submit monthly reports to the Directors of School Education and Higher Education on their work and their impact, the minister added.

"If we all implement surveillance, monitoring, participation in the community, and screening, I have no doubt that we can make real progress in checking the drug menace," she asserted.

Earlier, participants alerted about the illegal drugs and psychotropic substances being distributed with ease, particularly around schools, colleges and other soft spots.

 

The suggestion to put training modules in curricula, establish structural mechanisms, and arrange scientific awareness campaigns was proposed, a official spokesperson said.

 

A number of users of substances being rehabilitated also shared their life histories, narrating how they got trapped in the use of substances and how challenging it was to heal.

The minister assured that the government would provide complete support to institutions, civil society and NGOs working in the de-addiction field and appealed to all concerned to work in coordination with an aim to secure the future of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.