THE DEPARTMENT of Education has questioned the actions of a Kildare secondary school that has installed CCTV cameras in toilets on the premises.
Some 150 students staged a protest at Scoil Mhuire Community School in Clane yesterday at the use of the CCTV cameras in toilets in the school.
School sources said the cameras were installed to prevent bullying, vandalism and other alleged misbehaviour.
However, in a statement later the department indicated that students had “a reasonable expectation of privacy” while in the school toilets, adding that this level of monitoring would be difficult to justify under data-protection legislation.
Speaking on TV3 Newsyesterday, students said the CCTV cameras were visible from the toilet cubicles and they could rotate to monitor students' movements.
“It’s just uncomfortable to be watched when you’re in the bathroom,” said one student.
In a statement the Department of Education said the use of CCTV cameras in the toilets would be difficult to justify under relevant legislation.
“All use of CCTV other than in a purely domestic context must be undertaken in compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Acts.
“The use of CCTV must be proportionate and for a specific purpose. The guidance available from the Data Protection Commissioner says the use of CCTV to monitor areas where individuals would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in toilets and rest rooms, would be difficult to justify under data-protection legislation.”
However, the department said it was the responsibility of each school’s management to arrange for appropriate supervision of its pupils.
“The board of management has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school,” the statement read.