• 24 Aug 2022
• opticom

Schools, colleges and universities are as valuable as any enterprise, if not more so, by virtue of being centers of learning. Thriving academic communities support and encourage young people to become responsible and capable individuals, producing generations of professionals, intellectuals and innovators. Education contributes to personal development both culturally and technologically but also socially. Plainly the value of knowledge in immeasurable.

It makes sense, then, to prioritise the safety of such establishments by implementing a School Security Solution – more specifically, by installing Detector activated CCTV cameras that transmit a live feed to a Remote Alarm Receiving Centre (RARC), allowing educators to enjoy the benefits of remote monitoring.

There are many positive effects from introducing digital surveillance to a school environment. For example:

1. The school perimeter will not be compromised as this will be picked through Real Time Monitoring.
2. To monitor the pupils behaviours and picking mischievous acts.
3. The risk of criminal incidents, burglary, arson etc. is drastically reduced.
4. Expensive technology and important equipment (computers, projectors, lab equipment, etc.) is protected.
5. Monitoring pupils play grounds.

24/7 CCTV Monitoring Without invading the privacy of students and tutors

Despite the many and varied advantages of remote monitoring for schools, the presence of CCTV cameras around classrooms and yards understandably begets concerns about the perceived invasion of privacy. There may also be infrastructural problems to consider but by completing a simple risk assessment with the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), these concerns can usually be easily overcome. A solution could be putting cameras only in areas where they are most likely to help rectify any prevailing problems. For extra peace of mind, please note that our communication Controllers in our IC3 Command Centre are security screened. They are also trained on GDPR (UK) and Data Protection Act Kenya requirements.

How It Works

To cite an example of how this works, we will refer to an Optiwatch-monitored private primary school in Urban Nairobi City. In this case, prior to being a remotely monitored site, the most pressing matter was the premises’ close proximity to a less secure peri urban estate, which meant that intruders would often access the school grounds vandalize the school infrastructure and steal valuable equipment. We arranged for cameras and motion detectors to be deployed to give coverage to those areas. In so doing, we were able to prevent vandalism, theft and crime through real time monitoring and issuing audio challenge as a deterrent.

What Advantages Does Real Time Remote Monitoring Offer To Schools?

1. Ensure pupils’ safety without infringing their privacy

Ensure the safety of pupils and other young people without infringing upon their right to privacy.

2. Prevent damage to property

By minimizing the health and safety hazards this would create.

3. Deter criminals and opportunists

Our control room operators monitor CCTV cameras and issue audio warnings to intruders that can prevent and deter criminal activity.

4. 24/7 security when school is unoccupied or closed during vacation.

Schools are often targeted by intruders out of hours i.e. through the night, across weekends or during school vacations. A CCTV monitoring system will ensure 24/7 manned surveillance.

At Opticom Kenya Limited in partnership with Optiwatch Group, we offer flexible Real Time Remote monitoring solutions to meet your unique requirements.

Are you looking to improve your school security in order to prevent criminal activity and protect your students? If so, talk to us today via info@opticom.co.ke or call on 020 2686857 / 020 7909011.  Our school security and safety experts will be happy to discuss your school security requirements and advise you on how to keep your Schools safe and secure.