CAMPAIGNERS have hit out at proposals debated by one of the country’s largest local authorities to install CCTV in classrooms.

Councillors in North Lanarkshire last week called for cameras to be installed in "special needs schools" as a way of examining allegations made against staff and pupils.

However, an amendment was carried which committed the council to setting up a review group to look at issues relating to the additional support needs (ASN) sector.

In 2012, it was revealed that more than 200 schools across the UK were using CCTV in changing rooms and pupils’ toilets.

At that point, figures showed that there were a total of 47,806 cameras linked to secondary schools, including 26,887 inside school buildings.

In May, a teachers union issued a warning at its annual conference about the growing spread of cameras on the school estate.

The North Lanarkshire branch of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) stated that such surveillance “throws up other issues pertaining to the use of surveillance CCTV within the classroom".

The SSTA also called on councils to ensure that CCTV was not used to gather data for “performance management purposes”.

However, Councillor David Baird, who was an SNP representative until last week, and independent councillor Alan Beveridge, last week tabled a motion that would result in CCTV being installed in classrooms.

It is understood Baird did not have the permission of the SNP to lodge the motion and he is now sitting as an independent. The proposal is not SNP policy in North Lanarkshire.

The duo called on the council to install CCTV into classrooms and halls within all "special needs schools", as well as in vehicles associated with ASN transport.

The motion added: “This usage of CCTV is solely for evidential purposes in relation to allegations and complaints made against staff or pupils and to provide evidence of alleged incidents.”

Their motion included a caveat that the cameras should not be used for performance management purposes, in line with the concerns expressed by the SSTA.

A successful Labour amendment, supported by the SNP, called for a review group to explore areas for “further development” within the ASN sector. It noted that any review must “recognise the privacy rights for parents and children” and did not back CCTV installation.

SSTA general secretary Seamus Searson said: “There shouldn’t be CCTV in classrooms. I have seen it happen in the past and it causes all sorts of problems. I am pleased the council has backed a review, rather than approve the proposal. There is also the issue of parents giving consent for their children to be filmed. Data protection laws make this area very complicated.”

Matthew Rice, Scotland director of the Open Rights Group, said: "It is a drastic measure to install CCTV into classrooms, halls and anywhere in a school other than toilets or personal care areas. Children's right to privacy is particularly important as they may be less aware of the risks involved. The council should consider very carefully the effect this may have on pupils' right to privacy before continuing.

"It should also think about what effect this will have on conditioning children to expect constant monitoring of their movements and behaviour, and the effect on staff morale. Creating a system of constant surveillance can lead to staff feeling targeted and distrusted in the workforce, creating unhealthy environments for teaching and learning."

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott said: "These proposals seem extraordinary. The justification for CCTV in classrooms would have to be thoroughly explained and explored for pupils, parents and the wider school community before any such measures should be considered by local authorities."

A council spokesperson said: “A working group will be established to explore further development within the ASN sector. The group will take into consideration the views of parents and stakeholders and will report back at a future committee meeting.”