Thane: In a major step to strengthen student safety within school premises, as many as 1,329 schools run by the Thane Zilla Parishad in the district will be equipped with a robust CCTV network by April 2026, officials informed on Friday.The move, which is being executed in two phases, is part of the initiative to bring rural schools in the district under digital surveillance and is seen as a crucial step towards creating a safer environment for students, especially after the 2024 Badlapur incident, where a student was assaulted. The e-surveillance project was launched using funds from the district planning committee for the fiscal 2024–25, under which CCTV installation was planned in 542 schools in the first phase. According to officials from the primary education department, installation was already completed in 524 schools across the district under the guidance of chief executive officer Ranjit Yadav. The work of CCTV installation was completed in ZP schools operating in Kalyan and Bhiwandi talukas, where 120 and 308 cameras, respectively, were installed. In Ambernath, 96 CCTV cameras were installed, while work in 18 schools is currently underway, officials explained. In the next phase, which was also approved under the district planning committee’s 2025–26 fiscal allocation, CCTV installation is underway in 329 schools in Murbad and 457 schools in Shahapur, which will be operational by April 2026, officials explained. Thane ZP authorities said the surveillance system will help monitor activities within school premises, prevent inappropriate incidents, and ensure a safer environment for students. “The system is also expected to improve transparency and discipline within school campuses. With CCTV systems already installed in 524 schools, the remaining schools are also being covered in phases, and our school campuses will soon be more secure,” said Balasaheb Rakshe, Thane ZP’s education officer.
