Abu Dhabi, Jan 6 (IANS/WAM): The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a CCTV audit in all private schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in order to protect and safeguard students.

Each school has been asked to design and implement a complete digital security surveillance system in and around its buildings as per required specifications.

“Installing proper CCTV cameras in private schools comes in line with ADEC's mission to help safeguard students, teachers and the school community as a whole,” Hamad Al Dhaheri, ADEC's private schools and quality assurance executive director, said in a statement Monday while stressing the importance of health and safety measures in schools.

“It is vital that schools comply with all the standards related to maintaining and monitoring the device, which will in turn greatly reduce the number of accidents/unfortunate incidents that accrue across some schools,” he added.

Schools were given until end of August 2013 to install the CCTV cameras in specified locations in the school.

ADEC has contracted a third party private company specialising in the field to inspect all private schools and check alignment with the CCTV requirements.

Schools have been notified that a third party inspection team will be visiting them starting Jan 6.