Iraq orders private education institutes to install surveillance cameras

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Education Minister Abdulkarim Abtan has ordered private education institutes nationwide to install surveillance camera systems, the ministry said in a statement. The directive requires cameras to cover classrooms, corridors, entrances, exits and shared areas, with recordings running continuously during working hours. According to the ministry, the recordings must be stored securely and made available to relevant inspection units when requested. The minister also ordered regular maintenance of the systems and guaranteed access for authorized oversight bodies. Abtan directed teams of education inspectors and specialists to carry out field visits to the institutes to verify compliance. Non-compliant institutes will face procedures under existing regulations, the ministry said. The ministry described the measure as aimed at protecting the safety of students, teaching staff and administrative personnel. No further details on implementation timelines were provided.