India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Uttar Pradesh has imposed restrictions on outside people entering government primary and upper primary schools. Several district education officials have directed authorities to prohibit media persons, YouTubers, and social media activists from entering government schools without permission.
The orders came after videos of poor mid-day meal quality were going viral and students raising voices against the administration. Recently, students in Unnao blocked roads demanding action against authorities for providing poor food quality and lack of potable water. Hundreds of girl students in Lucknow also staged a protest over a shortage of teachers.
Multiple Uttar Pradesh districts have restricted media and outsiders from entering government schools without prior permission, citing interference following viral videos exposing poor mid-day meals and student protests over food quality and teacher shortages.
The orders have been issued in at least 6 districts including Farrukhabad, Agra, Azamgarh, Ballia, Basti, Ambedkarnagar, and Ayodhya. The directions mention the interference of outsiders in the working of government schools and misrepresentation of facts by them.
Farrukhabad Basic Education Officer Vishwanath Pratap Singh issued such an order on 17th April. Singh alleged that certain journalists reached government schools masquerading as journalists and took photos of students and wanted to access public records.
Basic Education Officer of Agra, Rakesh Singh, said that authorities have designated officials to inspect government schools and maintain discipline and stop misrepresentation. Ayodhya has prohibited photography and videography in government schools without permission.
However, Additional Chief Secretary of Basic and Secondary Education, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma clarified that the state government has not issued any orders forbidding outsiders to enter government schools. He said that orders could be issued by Basic Shiksha Adhikaris of various districts concerning specific issues.
The latest orders imposing restrictions in government schools have invited criticism from the opposition. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abdul Hafiz Gandhi said that protection of children and safeguards is a must but such orders would affect the fundamental rights of the citizens in case of misrepresentation of facts by authorities.
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi countered the same by saying that schools are sensitive places and entry, class observation, and inspection of records have to be done in accordance with prescribed rules.
The controversy surrounding Uttar Pradesh government schools comes in the backdrop of CJP’s #SchoolThikKaro campaign which has been trending on social media.
