Orders barring entry of outsiders into govt schools issued across Uttar Pradesh

District education officers across Uttar Pradesh have issued directives prohibiting the entry of unauthorized individuals, including YouTubers, into government-run primary and upper primary schools. The stated purpose of these orders is to maintain the smooth functioning of teaching and learning activities within the educational institutions.

These directives come amid ongoing protests against poor facilities and teacher shortages in the state's schools. Students in Lucknow recently demonstrated, blocking traffic to protest a lack of teachers, while a similar protest occurred in Unnao concerning inadequate food quality and drinking water facilities.

Farrukhabad's basic education officer, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, initiated such an order in April. He cited instances of individuals posing as journalists entering schools without authorization, photographing students, and demanding access to records, actions he claimed were intended to tarnish the education department's image. Singh advised school staff to politely request identification from visitors and to refrain from displaying records or providing departmental information.

Similar orders have since been implemented in various districts, including Agra, Azamgarh, Ballia, Basti, Ambedkarnagar, and Ayodhya. In Agra, the basic education officer, Rakesh Singh, noted that YouTubers and others had entered schools without permission, sharing disruptive content on social media. He emphasized that designated government officers are responsible for school inspections and improvements.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan has also introduced guidelines restricting outsider entry and photography on school premises without prior permission. This measure followed the involvement of a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson in a student protest regarding a dilapidated government school in Alwar.

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If these individuals or groups produce their identity cards, provide the information requested, but do not allow photographs of any documents. Do not display any records or provide any departmental information.