Now strictness has started regarding the entry of outsiders and YouTubers in the council schools of Uttar Pradesh. In many districts including Azamgarh, Ballia, Mau, Ayodhya and Balrampur, District Basic Education Officers have issued orders directing action against entering school premises without permission, taking photographs or making videos. The department has cited the safety of students, impact of teaching and maintaining the dignity of the school and teachers as the reason behind this decision.
In the instructions issued by the District Basic Education Officers, it has been said that no outsider, YouTuber or any other person will be allowed to make photos or videos in the school without the permission of the competent authority. The officials coming to inspect the school have also been instructed to sign in the visitors register.
Instructions to keep the gate closed during school hours
In the order, all the headmasters have been instructed to keep the main gate of the school closed during and after the school operating period. The department says that the movement of unauthorized people in schools can not only affect the safety of children but also spoil the learning environment.
In the order issued by BSA, it has also been said that officers have already been nominated at the district and block level for inspection and monitoring of schools. These officers inspect schools from time to time. In such a situation, there is no need for unauthorized people to reach the school and make videos.
Education affected due to arrival of YouTubers
It has been said in the departmental order that unauthorized entry of YouTubers and outsiders into the school affects teaching and learning. Along with this, it has also been said that the dignity of the teacher’s post and the image of the department will be adversely affected.
However, after the order, the question is also being raised that what will be the role of social media and digital platforms in bringing out the real condition of the systems in government schools. Especially when the Basic Education Department itself is emphasizing on spreading its plans and achievements to the public through social media.
The department itself is increasing the scope of social media
In a meeting of the Basic Education Department held on August 11, many important decisions were taken regarding strengthening the social media strategy and digital communication. Along with strengthening its presence on X, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, the department has set a target of total 7.5 lakh followers on all four platforms.
In the meeting, instructions were given to create an official Facebook account, complete the process of verification of Facebook and Instagram accounts and provide administrative access to the official YouTube channel to the social media team. It has also been said to create uniform design and branding for all platforms and regular monitoring of social media growth.
That means, on one hand, the department is working on a strategy to increase its reach through social media. On the other hand, the order to ban the entry of outsiders and YouTubers in the school premises has sparked a new debate.
The decision came amid the Fix the School campaign
This matter has come to light at a time when Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Deepke has started the Fix the Schools campaign from August 15 regarding the condition of rural government schools across the country. Under the campaign, an appeal has been made to conduct social audit of schools, look at the condition of basic facilities and bring out the shortcomings. Under the campaign, an appeal was also made to parents and local people to see the status of facilities like electricity, drinking water, toilets and mid-day meal in government schools and, if necessary, to highlight the problems through videos.
Meanwhile, the order to ban making of unauthorized photos and videos in schools of Uttar Pradesh has raised questions regarding monitoring and transparency of schools through social media. This controversy is also being seen in the context of the recent statement of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. While replying to those who raised questions on the arrangements of government schools, the Chief Minister had said that today people are saying that they will make videos of schools, make a lot of them.
Now the big question – how will the monitoring be done?
Enumerating the achievements of the government, the Chief Minister had said that under Operation Kayakalp, facilities like better flooring, separate boys and girls toilets, drinking water, smart classes, digital library and furniture have been provided in schools. He also mentioned about giving school bags, books, two uniforms and shoes and socks to the children.
After the order of the department, the biggest question is that if outsiders and YouTubers are not allowed to go to schools and make videos, then how will the work of social audit and revealing the ground situation of government schools be done? The department’s argument is about student safety, discipline and teaching arrangements, while on the other hand the department itself is emphasizing on making the achievements and activities of the schools available to the public through social media.
