Congress Law Cell District President Prem Singh Rathore said that children's safety is important, but the government must first address the dilapidated condition of schools and the lack of basic facilities.
Congress Law Cell District President Prem Singh Rathore Jadan has voiced his opinion on the instructions issued by the Education Department regarding the safety of children in government schools.
He clarified that he is not against children's safety, as it is the highest priority.
Rathore stated that unauthorized entry, unpermitted photo-videography, and any objectionable activity on school premises must be effectively stopped.
However, reacting sharply to this government order, he questioned whether merely maintaining a visitor register and restricting the entry of outsiders would make government schools in Rajasthan safe.
Rathore demanded that the government answer for the ground situation in schools.
He said that even today, many government schools in the state lack facilities like building repairs, proper classrooms, boundary walls, toilets, drinking water, electricity, and internet.
He mentioned that there are also serious gaps concerning computers, playgrounds, and necessary facilities for differently-abled students.
Rathore emphasized that the state government itself had to issue directions for a thorough inspection of school buildings' safety, repairs, and construction work in June 2026, which shows the seriousness of the situation.
Citing data related to Rajasthan from U-DISE Plus 2024-25, he said that out of 1,06,302 schools in the state, only 56,702 have computers and 74,358 have internet facilities.
He further added that toilets suitable for children with special needs are available in only 37,579 schools, and ramps and handrails are available in only 72,682 schools.
Rathore said that after these figures, there is no need to say anything more to understand the condition of the remaining schools.
When a school's boundary wall is weak, building repairs are pending, adequate teachers are not available, the condition of laboratories and libraries is not good, digital facilities have not reached every school, and necessary facilities for differently-abled children are incomplete, what should be the government's first priority—a visitor register or the basic safety of the school?
He said that it is not appropriate to view every parent visiting the school as a potential criminal.
Parents come to school regarding their child's education, health, safety, scholarship, admission, examination, certificate, or any complaint.
Rathore suggested that a system should be in place to allow them entry through a respectful and transparent process, rather than creating a wall between them and the school in the name of security.
Rathore described the social media campaign that 'entering a government school will lead to a POCSO case' as a misinterpretation of the law.
I want to clarify that the propaganda being spread on social media regarding this order, that 'entering a government school will lead to a POCSO case', is a misinterpretation of the law. Entering the school premises is not in itself a crime under POCSO. The POCSO Act will only apply when the necessary elements of the offense as defined under the Act are present.
He said that instead of creating an atmosphere of fear by using the name of a serious law like POCSO, the government should provide correct information about the law to teachers, principals, parents, and students.
Congress Law Cell District President Prem Singh Rathore has asked the government some important questions to improve the system.
Rathore demanded that a safety audit of every government school be conducted and that basic facilities like buildings, boundary walls, availability of teachers, toilets, drinking water, electricity, and internet be ensured.
Children need safe schools, not closed schools. Parents need respect, not suspicion. POCSO should be used effectively, but unnecessary fear should not be spread in its name.
In conclusion, he said that he is in favor of child safety, but he condemns the attempt to hide the fundamental shortcomings of government schools and the administrative responsibilities of the government in its name.
*Edit with Google AI Studio
Pradeep Budawat
