Rajasthan Govt Restricts Outsider Entry, Photography in Schools as CJP Plans School Visits

The Rajasthan government has imposed strict restrictions on the entry of unauthorised outsiders into state-run schools, including curbs on photography, videography, interviews and live streaming of school activities. The guidelines were issued on Sunday, the same day the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced plans to visit government schools across the state as part of its ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign.

The Rajasthan Secondary Education Department said the new measures are aimed at protecting students’ privacy, dignity, safety and well-being. The government cited the principle of “in loco parentis”, meaning “in place of parents”, to justify stronger safeguards for children within school premises.

The restrictions also refer to the Right to Privacy of children and school safety guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

CJP Plans Rajasthan Government School Audit

The new guidelines came after CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka announced that he would visit government schools in several Rajasthan cities under the party’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign.

Ranka said his team had received requests to inspect schools in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Barmer and Hanumangarh. According to the CJP, complaints have been received about allegedly poor infrastructure and deteriorating conditions in some government schools, with demands for repairs reportedly not receiving adequate attention from the administration.

The planned visits are intended to assess school infrastructure, amenities and the quality of education being provided to students.

Rajasthan Govt School Entry Rules

Under the new Rajasthan government school guidelines, outsiders will not be permitted to enter school premises without prior approval from the principal or head of the institution. Authorised government officials are exempt from this requirement.

Visitors who receive permission must record their details in the school visitor register before entering the premises.

The government has also restricted access to sensitive areas. Outsiders cannot enter classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, playgrounds, toilets or other areas where students are engaged in activities unless they are accompanied by the principal, a teacher or another authorised school official.

Principals have also been given the authority to refuse entry to visitors if their presence is considered likely to affect school security, student privacy, discipline or the academic environment.

Photography, Interviews and Live Streaming Restricted

The Rajasthan government has specifically prohibited unauthorised photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming of students, teachers or school activities.

Such activities will require prior written permission from the principal and must be carried out only for lawful purposes.

The guidelines further state that photographs, videos or personal information relating to students must not be collected, published or disseminated in a manner that compromises their privacy, dignity or safety.

The government has directed school authorities to take immediate action if these rules are violated.

Legal Action Against Unauthorised Visitors

According to the circular, anyone who enters a school without permission and refuses to leave, attempts unauthorised photography or videography, or disrupts school functioning may face legal action.

In such cases, the principal is required to inform the local police and the District Education Officer.

School heads may also direct unauthorised visitors to leave the premises and initiate proceedings under applicable laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; and Information Technology Act, 2000.

The government has instructed supervisory officers to ensure strict compliance with the new school safety guidelines.

Opposition Accuses BJP Govt Of Hiding Poor School Conditions

The restrictions have drawn criticism from the Opposition. Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra accused the BJP government of attempting to conceal alleged shortcomings in the state’s government school system rather than addressing them.

He alleged that instead of improving school infrastructure and educational facilities, the government was trying to prevent outsiders from seeing the condition of government schools.

The latest development has therefore triggered a debate over the balance between student privacy and transparency in government schools. While the government has emphasised child safety and privacy, the Opposition has questioned whether the restrictions could make independent scrutiny of school infrastructure more difficult.

As the CJP prepares for its proposed Rajasthan government school audit, attention is likely to remain focused on how the new entry and photography rules will be implemented and whether they affect efforts to independently assess the condition of government schools.