By Sandra Singh Saturday, February 16 2008

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Internet eye: A close-up view of one of the cameras that is used in the Internet Protocol Surveillance Systems....

The Education Ministry is reviewing a proposal made by the National Maintenance Training and Security Co Ltd(MTS) for the installation of Internet protocol surveillance systems (IPSS) in 36 schools at a cost of $15 million. The pilot project has already been launched at the Barataria Sec-ondary Comprehensive School.

The surveillance systems are meant “to enhance the safety and security” of the students, staff and school property as it transmits live camera feeds via the Internet from the respective sites to security booths as well as to a centralised location.

During the official launch of the pilot project held at the MTS Plaza in Aranjuez, yesterday, Education Minister Esther Le Gendre welcomed the initiative saying she hoped it can be installed at all schools. “We have to seek ways of maintaining reasonable security without turning our schools into fortresses,” said Le Gendre.

She also added that “against a backdrop of manpower shortages in the country, it has become most difficult to supply the required number of security officers at schools.”

Saying the technology was already being used in the United States and Europe, Le Gendre said the “greatest advantages lay in the fact that it provides the user with the ability to view and control cameras from a remote location using the Internet.” The system includes panic buttons, intercom services and a central monitoring system that would monitor through the use of strategically located cameras.

Chairman of the MTS Board Peter Forde said the surveillance systems would allow for higher detection rates with “wrongdoings” being easily identified and appropriate actions taken. Barataria Secondary Comprehensive principal Sandra Phillip-Williams said “it was a relief to have ten cameras acting as electronic eyes in the school.”

She explained the school was “well positioned” to pilot the project since there was a large student population and 15 buildings containing millions of dollars in equipment. The school was also located on 11 acres of land where persons have easy access to the school’s fence.