The Rajasthan government on Sunday imposed restrictions on entry to government school campuses and barred any photography, videography, interviews, audio recording or live streaming of students and school activities without prior written permission from the head of the institution, the State Secondary Education Department said. The circular, issued on the evening of August 16, has triggered a political row across the State.
Order follows recent protests over school conditions
The direction came days after protests in several schools over dilapidated buildings, shortage of teachers and lack of basic facilities. Activists of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) joined a demonstration at a government school in Thanagazi, Alwar district, on August 14 as part of a campaign they called ‘School Thik Karo’. Authorities acceded to some demands after the agitation, officials said.
In response, the Secondary Education Department stated that the State government bears responsibility for children under the principle of in loco parentis and issued detailed directions restricting access to school premises.
Key provisions of the circular
- No outsider, except authorised government officials on official duties, may enter a school campus without prior permission from the principal or head of the institution.
- All visitors must make an entry in the school register.
- Photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming involving students, teachers or school activities are prohibited without the principal's prior written approval.
- Principals are empowered to direct outsiders to leave the premises and to seek police assistance if necessary.
| Issued by | Date | Main restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Secondary Education Department | 16 August (evening) | Controlled entry, visitor register, ban on unauthorised recording |
Government defends move as protecting minors
State Education Minister Madan Dilawar defended the order and said it was not a blanket ban on visitors but a measure aimed at protecting the "safety, privacy and dignity of minor students". He spoke to journalists in Kota on Monday.
"It is not appropriate if someone enters an institution at any time without permission, records a video and asks the children unnecessary questions," Mr. Dilawar said.
Mr. Dilawar reiterated that principals could call police if an unauthorised person refused to leave the premises.
Opposition and activists warn of reduced transparency
The circular drew immediate criticism from political opponents and civil society groups who said it could limit independent scrutiny of school conditions. Critics argue that restricting outsiders and prohibiting documentation will make it harder for activists, parents and media to expose infrastructural deficiencies and teacher shortages — concerns that had sparked the recent protests.
Activist groups involved in the School Thik Karo campaign had said they planned to inspect poorly functioning schools across the State. The new restrictions, they contend, may curb such inspections and discourage community oversight.
Practical implications for schools, parents and media
Under the circular, school principals will be the gatekeepers for all visits and any request to record or photograph within schools must be formally approved and entered in the register. This will affect:
- Parents wishing to visit classrooms or attend school events without prior written permission;
- Journalists and local media who document school conditions for reporting;
- Activists and civil society groups conducting inspections and campaigns.
Education officials have said authorised government officers may continue inspections. The circular did not define the timeline for processing permission requests or the criteria principals should use to grant or deny requests.
What to watch next
The situation bears watching for possible legal or administrative challenges, and for how local school authorities implement the order on the ground. The interplay between the State’s stated duty to protect minors and the need for transparency in public education will shape reactions in districts where protests over school conditions continue.
Officials in affected districts have been directed to ensure compliance and maintain records of visitors. Parents and community groups seeking access to schools are advised to contact the principal in advance and register their visit as required under the circular.
This development follows a wave of local agitation over basic facilities and staffing in Rajasthan’s government schools and highlights tensions between administrative control and public oversight of education in the State.
