Cameras on school buses in Cyprus? The government wants to cover all routes.

The Cypriot government is considering installing cameras on all buses carrying students. The recordings would aid in investigating serious incidents during school commutes, including vandalism. The cost of installing the devices will be covered by the Ministry of Transport.

The decision to launch monitoring has not yet been made. The government must establish rules for storing the recordings, prepare a tender, and prepare a schedule for installation. According to the proposed guidelines, parents, schools, and transport operators will not be able to freely view the footage.

Cameras on school buses: what was found?

The proposal was discussed at a meeting attended by Transport Minister Evi Tsolaki, Education Minister Athina Michaelidou, representatives of Parliament and parents, and Data Protection Commissioner Maria Christofidou.

The government intends to explore installing cameras on all buses transporting students. This monitoring would be a permanent solution that would help determine the course of serious incidents and identify those responsible for damage or dangerous behavior.

Who will be able to watch the recording?

Access to the recordings will be limited. If a serious incident occurs and is reported to the police, an authorized person operating the system will be able to provide officers with the relevant portion of the recording.

The guidelines do not provide for on-demand viewing of materials by parents, teachers, drivers, or school staff. Before implementing monitoring, the entity responsible for storing the recordings must be identified and detailed rules for their processing must be established in cooperation with the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection.

Parents are to be informed about the presence of cameras on buses. The Minister of Transport has indicated that if the system is implemented in accordance with data protection principles, the decision on whether a child will use such transport will rest with the parent.

What happens after a serious incident?

If the incident is reported to the police, the information will be sent to the students' parents and the school administration. The recording may help determine what happened during the ride and who was involved.

Depending on the circumstances, parents of those responsible for the damage may be charged for the costs of the damage. The school may implement measures provided for in applicable policies.

The Minister of Education stressed that the goal is to establish responsibility for specific incidents, and not to assign blame to all students traveling a given route.

What about camera installation time?

The preparation of the system's rules, tender, and equipment installation may take time. Until then, existing solutions will continue to be used on selected routes, including the presence of guardians or inspectors. Parents are also participating in some rides.

The start date for the cameras' installation and the total cost of the project have not yet been announced. The government has announced further work on the solution, which will improve the safety of students and drivers during school crossings.

Source: Reporter