Rajasthan Schools New Rules: State Govt Bars Outsiders, Photography Without Permission After CJP Inspection Call

The Rajasthan government has restricted the entry of outsiders into government schools without prior permission from the principal and barred photography, videography, interviews, audio recordings and live streaming without written approval. The order was issued on Sunday evening, August 16, hours after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced plans to inspect government schools it claimed were in poor condition.

The restrictions come amid protests at government schools in several parts of Rajasthan over alleged shortages of teachers and basic amenities, India Today reported. Videos and reports of such demonstrations have circulated widely on social media and in the media in recent weeks. The timing of the circular has prompted criticism from the opposition and CJP, which has said it will continue its school inspection campaign. ‘School Thik Karo’: Abhijeet Dipke Says Broken Windows in Maharashtra Govt School Covered With Eknath Shinde Banners (Videos).

CJP Announces School Inspections

Earlier on Sunday, CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka said the party had received requests from several districts to inspect schools where basic facilities were allegedly lacking.

"So far, I have received requests from Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Kota, Barmer and Hanumangarh to inspect schools in poor condition. In these places, the administration is refusing to heed demands to fix the schools. I will be visiting all these locations over the next few days," he said in a social media post. Abhijeet Dipke Launches 'School Thik Karo' Campaign for Rural Schools; Here's Why.

Ranka's announcement came as the CJP prepared to launch its "School Thik Karo" campaign, under which party volunteers planned to visit schools and highlight alleged deficiencies. The Week reported that the party said it would continue the campaign despite the government's new restrictions.

What the Rajasthan Government Order Says

Hours after the CJP announcement, Director of Secondary Education Lalit Kumar issued a circular citing the government's responsibility to protect the safety, dignity, privacy and welfare of children in government schools.

The department invoked the principle of in loco parentis, under which schools assume certain responsibilities ordinarily exercised by parents. It also cited Article 21 of the Constitution, a Supreme Court ruling on the right to privacy and guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Under the new directions, outsiders will not be allowed on school campuses without prior permission from the principal or head of the institution, except government officials visiting for authorised official work. All visitors must also make an entry in the visitor register.

Visitors cannot enter classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, playgrounds, toilets or areas where student activities are taking place unless accompanied by the principal, a teacher or another authorised school official.

Photography and Recording Require Permission

The circular also restricts photography, videography, interviews, audio recordings and live streaming involving students, teachers or school activities. Such activities will require prior written permission from the principal and must be for lawful purposes.

Schools have further been directed to ensure that photographs, videos or personal information of students are not collected, published or shared without parental or guardian consent where doing so could compromise a child's privacy, dignity or safety.

Principals have been authorised to deny entry to visitors whose presence could affect security, privacy, discipline or the functioning of the school.

Those who enter without permission, refuse to leave, attempt unauthorised recording or disrupt school activities can be reported to the police and district education authorities.

The circular also permits school heads to seek police assistance and initiate action. The department has said the measures are intended to maintain a safe, protected and child-friendly environment in schools.

Opposition Criticises Restrictions

The order has drawn criticism from Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, who accused the BJP government of trying to prevent scrutiny of shortcomings in government schools rather than fixing them.

"The BJP government has found an excellent solution to broken roofs, leaking classrooms and an acute shortage of teachers. Instead of removing these shortcomings, it has issued orders to hide them from the eyes of the world," Jully said in a social media post.

He threatened a "civil disobedience movement" if the order was not withdrawn and said the Congress would oppose the restrictions. Jully also alleged that the new directions could prevent irregularities and deficiencies in schools from coming to light and demanded that the order be withdrawn.

CJP Says Campaign Will Continue

The new restrictions have not ended the CJP's proposed inspections. The party has said it will continue its campaign to highlight the condition of government schools.

The controversy now centres on the balance between protecting students' privacy and safety and allowing public scrutiny of government-run educational institutions.

While the government has cited child safety, privacy and security as the basis for the restrictions, critics argue that transparency over school infrastructure and basic facilities should not be curtailed.

The developments come as Rajasthan's government schools face allegations of teacher shortages and inadequate basic amenities in several districts, making the implementation of the new rules likely to remain under scrutiny.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2026 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).