The Punjab Education Department has announced plans to install security cameras and advanced surveillance systems in schools across the province to improve safety.

Surveillance cameras will be placed at school entrances to monitor activities and strengthen security measures. These cameras will be equipped with facial recognition technology to help identify students, teachers, and visitors, according to the education department.

Authorities will receive daily reports from the surveillance systems to enhance oversight and administration. The department said the move aims to prevent unauthorised access, theft, and vandalism while ensuring safer environments in high-risk areas such as hallways and playgrounds.

In emergencies, such as intrusions or accidents, the systems will provide real-time data to authorities for swift action. The measures are particularly significant in Lahore, where schools accommodate large student populations, officials said.

Earlier, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Education Department had banned government schools from organising field trips, tours, and picnics for students, citing security reasons.

A notification from the Elementary and Secondary Education Department instructed all government schools in the province, including those in merged districts, to enforce the ban.

District Education Officers (DEOs) have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order. Officials said the move aims to enhance student safety by keeping them in a controlled environment, reducing external risks, and focusing resources on internal security.

“These steps will help ensure a safer educational experience for students and staff,” an official said.