By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Crowded, busy and often in mixed-use buildings
Coaching centres for entrance exams, competitive exams and school tuition are a big part of Bangalore’s education scene, with large hubs in areas like Malleshwaram, Jayanagar, Rajajinagar and Marathahalli. Many run in commercial buildings with narrow staircases, packed batches and back-to-back sessions. Safety, attendance and security need to cope with hundreds of students moving in and out within minutes.
Rules to be aware of
The Ministry of Education issued guidelines for coaching centres in January 2024 covering registration, infrastructure, student welfare and safety, for implementation by states. In Karnataka, premises where 100 or more people gather at a time fall under the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, which requires CCTV at entries, exits, common areas and parking with 30 days of recording. Fire safety approvals depend on the building. Check current state requirements for your centre.
Karnataka Public Safety Act CCTV rules →Where to place cameras
Never place cameras in toilets or changing areas.
| Area | Why |
|---|---|
| Building entrance and reception | Who enters; visitors and parents |
| Staircases and lift lobbies | Crowding during batch changes; incidents |
| Classrooms (with notice) | Discipline, safety and teaching quality review |
| Corridors | Movement between rooms |
| Fee counter and office | Cash handling and disputes |
| Two-wheeler parking | Vehicle theft and student safety |
Student attendance and parent alerts
Face recognition or RFID card attendance at the entrance records arrivals in seconds without queues, and can send SMS or app alerts to parents when a student arrives or is absent. Parents value this highly, and it reduces the administrative work of roll calls in each batch.
Attendance systems for schools and colleges →Fire and evacuation safety
- Keep staircases and exits clear — no shoe racks, stacked chairs or study material.
- Smoke detectors, manual call points and sounders on each floor.
- Extinguishers near classrooms and the electrical panel.
- Exit signs visible in power cuts, and an evacuation drill each term.
- Avoid overcrowding classrooms beyond their safe capacity.
Crowd management at batch changes
Staggering batch timings by a few minutes, separating entry and exit routes where possible, and watching staircase cameras during changeovers prevents dangerous crowding. A monitor at reception showing staircases and the entrance lets staff spot problems early.
Privacy and student welfare
- Display CCTV notices and include CCTV in the policy shared with parents and students.
- Limit access to footage to management.
- Keep recordings for at least 30 days where the Act applies.
- Treat face data for attendance as personal data under the DPDP Act, with parental consent for minors.
An example
A coaching institute in Rajajinagar with 800 students across three floors installed 22 cameras, face attendance terminals at the entrance with parent SMS alerts, and an addressable fire alarm. Staggering batch timings by ten minutes and watching the staircase cameras during changeovers ended the crush on the narrow stairs, and parents stopped calling the office to ask whether their child had arrived.
One partner for all of it
We install CCTV, attendance and fire alarms for coaching centres, often over a weekend to avoid disrupting classes.
Security for schools and institutions →Quick answers
Is CCTV mandatory for coaching centres in Bangalore?+
Centres where 100 or more people gather at a time fall under the Karnataka Public Safety Act, which requires CCTV at entries, exits, common areas and parking with 30-day recording.
Can coaching centres have cameras in classrooms?+
Yes, with clear notice to students and parents. Never in toilets or changing areas.
How can parents know their child reached class?+
Face or card attendance at the entrance can send SMS or app alerts to parents.
What fire safety do coaching centres need?+
Clear exits, smoke detection, call points, sounders, extinguishers and regular drills, plus any approvals required for the building.
How many cameras does a coaching centre need?+
Typically one for each entrance and staircase, one per classroom, plus the office, corridors and parking. A 3-floor centre often needs 15 to 25.
Can teachers’ classes be reviewed on video?+
Yes, with notice to teachers. Many centres use recordings for teaching quality reviews.
Is student face data covered by DPDP?+
Yes. For minors, parental consent is generally required.