Filenews 27 December 2025 - by Evangelina Sizopoulou
Some issues that arose in a number of schools regarding the installation of cameras for security reasons, forced the Ministry of Education to address the presidents of the School Boards again and with a circular of instructions, to remind them that strictly specific provisions must be observed. These result both from the current legislation and from guidelines and recommendations of the Ministry and the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection.
As "F" is in a position to know, what was observed in some schools is not considered serious irregularities, however it is not in line with the existing instructions, and this was the reason why the bell rang for the School Boards to be more careful, which are responsible for the project of installing closed monitoring circuits in schools.
The provisions that must be implemented are the following:
> The cameras are placed exclusively at the entrances – exits of the school units, at the entrances – exits leading to the internal atriums and at perimeter points to control any access to the interior of the school.
> The cameras are directed inwards to cover the interiors of the school units.
> The activation of the cameras is regulated by the installation company based on the activity program of each school unit, so that the cameras are activated, automatically, exclusively during the hours when the schools are not operating (i.e. after the completion of the morning classes and afternoon activities).
>> Camera recording is automatically activated only when motion is detected in the camera's field of view.
> The cameras only record image and not sound.
> Each school unit, in cooperation with the relevant School Board, is responsible for the installation of warning signs/signs for the operation of cameras in the school premises.
> The Central Digital Network Video Recorder (DVR/NVR) is placed in an area within the school unit, in a special cabin with a lock. In each cabin, a 24-hour security system with a code operates and is deactivated only by the manager or an authorized person. The cabin is not allowed to enter, except by the manager or an authorized person, only when there is a confirmed malicious action.
> The image transmission is done by direct wired connection to a data projection screen that is placed in the same space as the Central Digital Recorder. Image transmission to a mobile is not allowed.
> The camera system is set by the installation company to automatically delete the recorded footage after three days (72 hours).
They were placed in 100 schools
It is worth noting that so far closed circuits of video surveillance have been installed in 100 school units. According to official data, they were placed in 40 schools in Nicosia, 28 in Limassol, 17 in Larnaca, 8 in Famagusta and 7 in Paphos.
Regarding the existing planning, it is planned to install systems in the new financial year in another 50 school units, which are considered to be high risk.
