CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Gandhinagar. The Gujarat government has tightened entry rules in government schools to ensure the safety, privacy and dignity of students. In a circular issued on 21 October 2026, the state Education Department made it clear that no outsider will now be allowed to enter school premises without prior written permission from the principal or head of the institution. Only government officials duly authorised to discharge their official duties have been exempted from this permission requirement.
Under the new instructions, every outsider visiting a school must enter their details in the visitor register before entering the premises. School administrations will have to pay attention to the identity of visitors and the purpose of their visit. The principal has also been empowered to deny entry to any person whose presence may affect the school’s security, privacy, discipline or academic environment.
Under the rules, outsiders will not be able to enter classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, playgrounds, toilets and other areas linked to student activities at will. Prior written permission from the principal will be necessary to visit these places. The visitor will also have to remain accompanied by the principal, a teacher or an authorised school official.
These provisions are aimed at preventing unauthorised movement on school premises and maintaining a safe environment for students.
The Education Department has also issued clear instructions on photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming in schools. No recording of students, teachers or school activities will be allowed without the principal’s prior written permission. Permission for such activities may be granted only for valid purposes.
School administrations have been instructed to ensure that students’ photographs, videos or personal information are not collected, published or circulated in a manner that affects their safety, dignity and privacy.
According to the new rules, no visitor will be able to collect any child’s personal information or publish their identity or photograph without the principal’s prior written permission, especially where there is a possibility of an adverse impact on the child’s interests, safety or privacy.
The government has cited children’s rights and safety as the main basis for these instructions. The circular refers to the right to life, dignity and privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution and the Supreme Court judgment in the K. S. Puttaswamy case. It also cites the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights guidelines on school safety.
If any person enters school premises without permission, refuses to leave the premises, attempts to take unauthorised photographs or videos, or obstructs the functioning of the school, the principal must immediately inform the local police and the concerned education authorities. Police assistance may be sought if required, and action may be initiated under applicable laws depending on the circumstances of the case. The school head will also have the authority to direct unauthorised visitors to leave the premises.
The Gujarat government says protecting the safety, privacy and dignity of children in schools is an institutional responsibility. Through the new rules, an effort has been made to regulate entry into school premises, recording and the use of personal information. With these instructions coming into effect, journalists, social organisations, content creators and other outside visitors will have to follow the prescribed permission process before visiting schools or recording there. At the same time, school administrations will be responsible for ensuring that the rules are followed uniformly and that students’ interests are protected.
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