AMUCT against proposal, political student organisations in support

Teachers and students differ on Mangalore University’s move to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in classrooms and laboratories in institutes owned by the university.

Vice-Chancellor K. Byrappa announced on Tuesday that the university will install CCTV cameras in classrooms, laboratories and at the university campus at Mangalagangotri, its post-graduate centre at Chikka Aluvara in Kodagu district and its two constituent colleges – University College in Mangalore and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College in Madikeri.

The Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) might have opposed the decision but the Association of Principals of Government First Grade Colleges under Mangalore University welcomed the move. Politically affiliated student organisations – Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) have also supported the university’s move.

Norbert Lobo, president, AMUCT told The Hindu that the bond between students and teachers was based on trust and hence there was no need to question it by installing CCTV cameras. He said the cameras could be installed on the campus, corridors and other common places. He said many colleges had installed the cameras on their campuses and police had instructed the colleges to do so as a security measure.

K. Radhakrishna, president, Association of Principals of Government First Grade Colleges under Mangalore University, said CCTV cameras in classrooms were required to monitor students as many government colleges were facing dearth of staff.

He said if some government colleges under the university, such as the ones in Vitla and Tenkanidiyoor, already installed the cameras both in classrooms and campuses some colleges were installing it.

Jayesh P K, city secretary, ABVP, Ashith Pereira, district president, NSUI, Nitin Kuttar, district president, SFI, said that the cameras in class rooms and campuses helped as a security measure in many a way.

Teachers and students said that many colleges have already banned the use of cell phones not only in class rooms and in campuses. Students would have to take permission of principals to bring cell phones.

Mr. Radhakrishna said that the government and the university sent circulars every year reminding colleges not to allow use of cell phones in colleges.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Education Plus> College / by RaviPrasad Kamila / Mangalore – August 28th, 2014