Overview
- The state education department issued the circular on Sunday that bars unauthorised outsiders from entering government schools and requires principals’ prior written permission for photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming.
- The order cites the principle of in loco parentis, Article 21 privacy rights and NCPCR guidance and empowers school heads to refuse entry, log visitors and summon police when rules are breached.
- The circular warns of legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Information Technology Act for unauthorised entry or recording.
- Cockroach Janta Party co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka pledged to continue the ‘School Theek Karo’ inspection campaign and opposition leaders accused the government of using the rules to curb public scrutiny.
- The move comes against a backdrop of long‑running complaints about dilapidated school buildings, water and sanitation problems, and the next developments to watch are how principals and police apply the rules and whether courts are asked to weigh privacy against public oversight.