UNVEILING STUDENT SENTIMENTS TOWARDS CCTV SURVEILLANCE IN CMULHS:A WATCHFUL GUARDIAN OR UNWANTED OBSERVER

This study explores the perspective of Central Mindanao University Laboratory High School (CMULHS) students towards the implementation of CCTV cameras on campus grounds. It aims to identify the Grade 10 and Senior High School students' perspectives on the impact of CCTV cameras in reducing school policy violations, increased security because of its installation, its effect on the students’ privacy, and how CCTV placement affects their perspective. Five (5) grade 10 students, five (5) grade 11 students, and five (5) grade 12 students were selected with a purposive sampling method. A semi-structured interview containing open-ended questions were adapted from the study of Birnhack and Perry-Hazan (2020). It makes use of the Deontology Theory as a foundation for its results. Through the study’s results, it is concluded that the use of CCTV cameras is an effective way to reduce school policy violation, as it exerts a significant influence on individuals' behaviors. However, there is much reluctance on the side of the students as it invades their privacy. CCTV placements, inside and outside classrooms, also plays a crucial role that affects their perspectives. Most participants prefer outdoor placements as opposed to indoors as it also raises privacy concerns. Hence, CCTV implementation is an advisable deterrent for school policy violation, if CCTV placements are taken into consideration and conscientiousness is being prioritized.