Rajasthan restricts school access, drawing criticism from CJP and opposition

The Rajasthan government has implemented new guidelines restricting entry to school premises for individuals not affiliated with the institutions, effectively barring "outsiders" from photographing or recording without prior consent. This move has drawn sharp criticism from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which vows to press on with its "School Theek Karo" (fix schools) campaign.

The CJP spokesperson, Ashutosh Ranka, condemned the guidelines, issued shortly after he participated in a student protest regarding dilapidated conditions and a lack of drinking water at a government school in Alwar. Ranka accused the government of attempting to stifle public scrutiny and stated, "Instead of fixing schools, the Rajasthan government has started shutting down school audit activities." He asserted that the CJP would continue inspecting schools regardless of potential government action.

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Instead of fixing schools, the Rajasthan government has started shutting down school audit activities. Whatever the Rajasthan government does, we will get our schools fixed

Echoing the CJP's sentiments, Opposition Congress leader Govind Singh Dotasara suggested the restrictions are a tactic to conceal shortcomings within the government school system. "Instead of improving the condition of government schools, the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] government has found a way to cover up its failures and conceal the poor state of the education system," Dotasara stated on X. He argued that if school conditions were satisfactory, the government would have no reason to fear public documentation of issues like building disrepair, teacher shortages, or student difficulties.

Dotasara further emphasized that local communities, parents, and public representatives are vital stakeholders in school management. He warned that measures weakening public oversight would inevitably undermine transparency within the education system. The new guidelines stipulate that any unauthorized entry or recording on school grounds could lead to legal action under various Indian laws, though government officials on official duty are exempt.

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Instead of improving the condition of government schools, the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] government has found a way to cover up its failures and conceal the poor state of the education system