The Gujarat school entry rules now require outsiders visiting government schools to obtain prior written permission from the principal or head of the institution. The state Education Department has issued detailed guidelines aimed at protecting students’ safety, privacy, dignity and well-being in primary, secondary and higher secondary schools.
Under the new rules, every visitor must record their details in the school’s visitor register before entering the premises. Only government officials authorised to perform their official duties are exempt from the prior written permission requirement.
The circular refers to the principle of In Loco Parentis, under which the state assumes responsibilities associated with parental care for children in government schools. It also cites Article 21 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court’s landmark privacy judgment in KS Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union of India, and school safety guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
Entry to School Areas Requires Approval
Visitors cannot enter classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, playgrounds, toilets or other areas where student activities take place without prior written approval. They must also be accompanied by the principal, a teacher or an authorised school official.
The guidelines are intended to ensure that outsiders do not access student spaces without institutional oversight.
Photography and Recording Face Restrictions
The circular prohibits photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming involving students, teachers or school activities without the principal’s prior written permission. Such activities may be authorised for lawful purposes.
School authorities must ensure that students’ photographs, videos and personal information are not collected, published or circulated in ways that compromise their safety, privacy or dignity.
Visitors are also prohibited from collecting children’s personal information or publishing their identities or photographs without prior written permission, particularly where doing so could harm their interests or safety.
Police Action for Unauthorised Entry
If someone enters without permission, refuses to leave, attempts unauthorised recording or disrupts school operations, the principal must inform the local police and the relevant education authorities.
Principals can deny entry to visitors whose presence may threaten security, privacy, discipline or the academic environment. They can also direct outsiders to leave and seek police assistance when necessary.
Strict Implementation Across Schools
Inspection officers have been instructed to ensure compliance. Depending on the circumstances, violations may lead to action under applicable laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The guidelines establish a stricter visitor approval process, placing responsibility on school authorities to safeguard students and maintain a secure learning environment.
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