Gujarat Tightens School Entry Rules Amid Political Clash

The Gujarat state government will require any external visitor to obtain prior written permission from a school principal before entering a government or government-aided school. The directive also bans photography, videography, audio recording and live-streaming of students, teachers or school activities without the principal’s written consent. Violations may be prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The circular is scheduled for release on Wednesday, October 21.

The Indian Express

The policy is framed around *in loco parentis*—the state’s duty to act as a parent for children in public schools—and cites Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, dignity and privacy. It also references the Supreme Court’s 2017 judgment in *K S Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India* that recognized privacy as a fundamental right, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights guidelines on child safety and privacy.

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• The Gujarat education department reports a shortage of over 40,000 teachers and 42,000 classrooms across the state.

Gujarat's School Entry Rules Invoke Child Sexual Abuse Law Against Violators

• Approximately 3,000 schools operate with only a single teacher, according to Congress spokesperson Dr Manish Doshi.

Gujarat's School Entry Rules Invoke Child Sexual Abuse Law Against Violators

Opposition leaders argue the government is prioritising restrictions over addressing these deficits.

Gujarat's School Entry Rules Invoke Child Sexual Abuse Law Against Violators

• Prakash Trivedi, Director of Primary Education said the circular formalises existing rules, allowing schools to act against unauthorised entry, photography or disruption.

The Indian Express

• Dr Anil Patel, BJP Gujarat spokesperson defended the measures as necessary to prevent “mob-driven fear” in schools.

The Indian Express

• Dr Manish Doshi, Congress spokesperson condemned the circular as an attempt to “hide failures” of the education system, urging the government to focus on toilets, teachers and the Right to Education instead of penalising observers.

Gujarat's School Entry Rules Invoke Child Sexual Abuse Law Against Violators

• “The government is running away from giving an account of all these things, and that is why it issues such circulars,” — Dr Doshi

Gujarat's School Entry Rules Invoke Child Sexual Abuse Law Against Violators

• “Movement of outsiders was not allowed without permission, but in the absence of a guard or security check at the school gates, the entry of individuals could not be monitored. Anyone would enter, take photos and videos without the school principal’s knowledge. The latest circular makes it mandatory and legal now,” — Prakash Trivedi

The Indian Express

• “In reality, for cheap politics, mobs enter schools and create an environment of fear among students.” — Dr Anil Patel

The Indian Express

The rules give principals control over school access, potentially limiting journalists, activists and civil-society groups from documenting conditions. Proponents say the measures protect children’s privacy and safety; opponents warn they could be used to suppress exposure of systemic neglect.

ABP Live

The circular, slated for issuance on October 21, will become enforceable immediately thereafter. Schools must maintain visitor registers and report violations to local police and district education officers. No further hearings or legislative reviews have been announced.

The Indian Express