Secondary schools told to turn off CCTV in toilets

Some cameras in two schools have now been switched off

Two secondary schools have been told to turn surveillance cameras that had been operating inside toilets for 18 months off by the Isle of Man's information commissioner.

Ballakermeen and Castle Rushen High Schools were sent enforcement notices on 18 March stating they had failed to comply with data protection legislation prior to putting the CCTV in place.

A Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) spokesman said cameras had not been "pointing at the actual toilets" and confirmed both schools were complying with the instruction.

Desc Minister Daphne Caine previously raised concerns about the cost of repairing damage being done to toilet facilities in the island's secondary schools.

As personal data was being processed through the surveillance systems "inside the toilets" a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) should have been conducted, the commissioner found.

The schools had also failed to "provide any transparency information" as the system had not been signposted on their respective websites.

In a statement, the Desc said both schools had worked with the department to "promptly complete and return all necessary documentation" once the matter had been raised.

The CCTV had been installed to "improve site security and also to serve as a deterrent against vandalism and inappropriate behaviour", it said.

"A proportion of the cameras have been switched off and will not be back in use until approval has been received," it added.

'Vandalism'

In a recent evidence session with the Social Affairs and Policy Review Committee, Ms Caine said one school had confirmed they were spending between £600 and £1,000 a week on repairs after equipment was smashed, doors broken, toilets were blocked and graffiti was left behind.

She said the "serious amounts of vandalism" were costing the schools money she would "rather that money was being spent on education and other support".

In early March, head teacher of Ballakermeen Graeme Corrin defended the school's decision to restrict toilet breaks during lessons as "too many students" were "missing large chunks of learning".