Director of School Education Department, V. Vijay Rama Raju, directed the Regional Joint Directors (RJDs) and District Education Officers (DEOs) not to allow any unauthorised individuals or groups to enter school premises without prior permission from the head of the institution.
In a circular, he said that except parents and school management committee (SMC) members, nobody else should be permitted into the campus, as it was causing disruption to the academic activities.
He said that if anybody wanted to make any contributions or give materials in kind, they should be directly handed over to the headmaster/headmistress without interacting with the children or entering the classrooms. Photographs with children are also strictly prohibited, said Mr. Rama Raju. Any complaints, grievances or requests should be submitted only to the administrative office, and staff and students should not engage directly with individuals or organisations coming from outside, he added.
The Director also made it clear that the display of any political symbols or materials, including flags, shawls, banners or posters related to parties or organisations have been strictly prohibited within school campuses.
Meanwhile, the official’s directive has not gone down well with student unions and they have demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision.
Student Federation of India (SFI) State president P. Rammohan Rao and secretary K. Prasanna Kumar alleged that the order suppresses student voices and blocks access to those who visit schools to understand and address student issues. They said it was a deliberate move to prevent student organisations from exposing problems faced by students, they said.
SFI had in the past exposed several irregularities and commercial exploitation in private and corporate schools, but this order will make it harder to hold such institutions accountable and it would help them continue their exploitative practices unchecked, they added.
All-India Student Federation’s State vice-president M. Saikumar said the mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) held by the government was a sham since problems existing in educational institutions were not being addressed. He said that the move only reflected the fear among authorities that the existing loopholes in school campuses would be exposed. He said that student unions would go wherever students are, interact with them and speak about their problems.
The union representatives threatened to launch a Statewide agitation if the orders were not withdrawn immediately.
Published – August 03, 2025 08:38 pm IST
