Digital Surveillance to Combat Bullying in Educational Institutions

The Government of Bangladesh has formalised a strategic initiative to install high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems across 517 secondary educational institutions. This measure, designed to eradicate bullying, “eve-teasing” (street harassment), and “ragging” (hazing), seeks to foster a secure and digitally monitored environment conducive to academic advancement.

This initiative is being implemented on a pilot basis under the Learning Acceleration in Secondary Education (LAISE) project, an undertaking of the Ministry of Education. According to official documentation, the project encompasses 362 secondary schools and 155 madrasas.

Official Authorisation and Strategic Framework

On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) issued a formal circular detailing the commencement of the project. This follows the Ministry of Education’s approval of the “Educational Institution Selection Guidelines 2025” on 27 April. Corresponding directives have been dispatched to District Commissioners (DCs) across the nation to facilitate the necessary administrative arrangements.

The fundamental objective of this programme is to ensure a safe campus for students by deploying technological deterrents against harassment. By establishing a digital surveillance network, the government aims to mitigate incidents of misconduct that frequently disrupt the educational journey of adolescents, particularly young women.

Selection Criteria and Institutional Eligibility

The Ministry of Education has outlined a rigorous set of criteria for the selection of participating institutions. To maintain geographical equity, the project aims to include one institution from every upazila (sub-district) and metropolitan police station area.

To be eligible for the scheme, institutions must meet the following prerequisites:

• Status: The institution must be either a government-run facility or a private institution included in the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme.

• Existing Infrastructure: Priority is given to schools and madrasas that currently lack CCTV surveillance.

• Logistics: A continuous and reliable electricity supply is a mandatory requirement for the installation of high-tech monitoring equipment.

• Risk Assessment: Institutions with a documented history of bullying or harassment, as well as those lacking secure boundary walls (vulnerable premises), will receive preferential consideration.

Notably, certain categories of institutions are excluded from this specific project. Schools and madrasas operated under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Railway, City Corporations, or Cantonment Boards do not fall within the scope of this pilot phase.

Technical Specifications and Monitoring

Under the project regulations, each selected institution will be equipped with a comprehensive system comprising 16 CCTV cameras. The placement of these units is strategically divided to ensure maximum coverage:

1. Ten cameras will be installed within classrooms to monitor internal conduct and academic delivery.

2. Six cameras will be positioned across the school grounds and common areas to oversee student safety outside the classroom.

The systems will be subject to constant monitoring. Selection committees have been established to oversee the identification of eligible schools. At the upazila level, a three-member committee led by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) will manage the selection. In metropolitan districts, the committee will be chaired by the Additional District Commissioner (Education). These committees are tasked with submitting their finalised lists to the project office within the coming days.

Funding and Long-term Vision

The LAISE project is supported by credit assistance from the World Bank. The current phase of the project is scheduled to remain active until September 2028.

Government officials have indicated that this pilot phase serves as a proof-of-concept. Should the surveillance initiative prove successful in reducing incidents of bullying and improving campus security, the government intends to extend the programme incrementally to encompass other secondary educational institutions across the country. This integration of technology into school management aligns with broader national goals of digitising the education sector and ensuring the physical and psychological well-being of the student population.