New Delhi, Sept. 3 -- Would you want a camera watching over you at your desk all day? Your answer, like mine, is likely to be a resolute 'no.' The thought itself is intrusive, a violation of your most rudimentary space and autonomy, which are not only needed to think and work, but are also essential for your basic dignity. Why then do so many find it acceptable to advocate in favour of this setup in our schools and classrooms?

Let's be clear. This is not about cameras in school corridors or driveways installed for safety. This is about cameras specifically placed to monitor teachers, turning classrooms into a panopticon. Such surveillance is not just highly intrusive and disruptive to the functioning of the class; it signifies a deep and...