The Rajasthan Education Department has introduced stricter rules for entry into government schools, including restrictions on photography, videography and recording during school hours. Under the new directions, people who are not part of the school administration will need prior permission from the principal or head of the institution before entering the premises. Visitors will also have to record their details in the school's visitor register. The rules apply to areas including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, playgrounds and spaces used for student activities. Visitors cannot enter these areas without permission from the principal, a teacher or another authorised school official. Government officials are also expected to enter schools only when they are visiting in connection with their official duties. Photography And Social Media Recordings Restricted The new guidelines also place restrictions on recording inside government schools. Photography, videography, interviews, audio recordings and live streaming involving students, teachers or school activities will require prior written permission from the principal. The department has also directed schools to ensure that photographs, videos or personal information relating to students are not collected, published or broadcast in a way that could affect their privacy, dignity or safety. The Education Department said the move comes amid instances of photographs and videos from schools being circulated on social media. What Happens If Someone Enters Without Permission? School principals have been instructed to alert local police and education officials if a person enters the premises without authorisation, refuses to leave, attempts unauthorised recording or interferes with school operations. The department has said that, depending on the circumstances, applicable laws could be invoked. These include provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the POCSO Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Information Technology Act. The guidelines also allow principals to refuse entry where they believe a visitor's presence could affect the safety, privacy, discipline or academic environment of the school. Why Has The Government Introduced The Rules? The Education Department has referred to the principle of in loco parentis, under which schools have a special responsibility towards children while they are under their care. The order also refers to constitutional protections relating to life, dignity and privacy under Article 21, along with the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on the right to privacy. The department's stated focus is therefore on protecting children from the unauthorised collection or circulation of their images and personal information. Congress Questions The Move The new guidelines have triggered criticism from the Opposition in Rajasthan. Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully accused the BJP government of using the restrictions to prevent the public from seeing problems in government schools. He alleged that issues such as damaged buildings, leaking classrooms and teacher shortages should be addressed instead of restricting access. Jully called for the order to be withdrawn and warned that the Congress would consider a civil disobedience movement if it was not revoked. Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra also criticised the decision. He argued that restrictions on entering schools and recording their conditions could reduce public scrutiny of the education system. Dotasra questioned why there should be concern about photographs or videos of schools if their infrastructure and functioning are in good condition. He also argued that parents, public representatives and local communities should continue to have a role in monitoring government schools.