School Safety | Are CCTV cameras a necessary tool to restore order in schools? SADTU weighs in

CCTV cameras are being used in some schools across KwaZulu-Natal, as authorities look for ways to curb rising incidents of violence, theft and bullying on school grounds.

But the move has sparked controversy, particularly at uMkhumbane Secondary School in Durban, where more than 20 educators boycotted classes after cameras were installed inside classrooms.

Teachers raised concerns over lack of consultation, as well as issues of trust and privacy, arguing that surveillance in teaching spaces crosses a sensitive line.

The matter later went to the Pietermaritzburg High Court, which ruled that the cameras could remain in place.

At the same time, school safety is under renewed national scrutiny following violent incidents in other parts of the country, including a reported stabbing at a school in Dobsonville, Soweto, which raised fresh concerns about learner violence and weapons on school premises.

Against this backdrop, the debate continues; are CCTV cameras a necessary tool to restore order in schools, or do they highlight deeper systemic challenges that surveillance alone cannot solve?

For more on surveillance in schools, teacher concerns and the balance between safety and privacy, we speak to SADTU spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi.