New Delhi: The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the installation of CCTV cameras in government schools in the city to ensure safety of students. The cabinet also renamed the school management committees (SMCs), which will now be known as Vidyalaya Kalyan Samitis.

The meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also accorded its in-principle approval for the doubling of financial assistance to RWAs/NGOs for maintenance of parks and gardens and provision of financial assistance for installation of sewage treatment plants.

The Delhi government had last year mandated installation of CCTV cameras in all schools covering classrooms, labs, corridors, parking, library, vacant rooms, the areas outside washrooms, corners and other inaccessible areas.

“The cabinet accorded its administrative approval and the expenditure sanction for the installation of CCTV cameras in government schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE).

“The department’s proposal was to seek administrative approval and expenditure sanction for the project of supply, installation, testing, commissioning and comprehensive annual maintainance contract of CCTV cameras in government schools,” an official statement said.

It was also decided that an online access to parents be provided to be able to see their children’s classrooms. Kejriwal had directed to form a core committee in December last year.

The panel had to prepare a road-map, time-bound plan and oversee the function of installation of CCTV cameras in government schools and also decide a tentative timeline for the project.

The cabinet also decided that the funds for Vidyalaya Kalyan Samitis will not be allocated as per the school building’s size but on the basis of enrolment of students.

“The fund requirement for this revamped scheme will be met from the budget head – SMC Fund and an amount of Rs 56 crore has been proposed for the current financial year,” the statement said.

The cabinet also approved the Directorate of Education’s proposal for revision in remuneration of miscellaneous category of guest teachers.