Child Rights Panel Seeks Review Of School Entry Restrictions Order

The government has reportedly banned political symbols, graffiti, flags, banners, and posters on school campuses to ensure an apolitical and distraction-free learning environment.

The directive, issued by director of school education Vijay Rama Raju also restricts entry to parents and School Management Committee (SMC) members. While teachers have welcomed the move for promoting academic focus, some political groups have raised concerns that it may suppress democratic expression in community-linked educational spaces.

However, the Forum noted that the order lacks clarity regarding the entry of child rights groups, child welfare organisations, and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that regularly conduct awareness programmes both government-funded and non-funded on children’s welfare, health, and rights. This ambiguity, it argued, could be considered a violation of children's rights.

The Forum further emphasised that, in order to understand the issues faced by students, registered child rights groups should be allowed access to schools with prior permission.

Taking all these factors into consideration, the Forum appealed to the government to re-evaluate and amend the current directive.

Forum president Dhanalakshmi said she has sent representations to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Chief Minister, the education minister, and other concerned authorities on the matter.