Kolkata: The state school education department issued a notice to all state-run schools on Friday, asking them to ensure students were not included in any “political programme” during school hours or in uniform. The chief secretary also raised this issue during a meeting with DMs on Friday.
The notice came after students, in uniforms, were seen at protest marches.“Schoolchildren in uniform can’t take part in any protest rally. It violates the law. They may hold or participate in protests but that should be after school and not in uniforms,” an official said.
Citing the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and with reference to a state notice (Jan 6, 2011), the notice also sought prohibition of physical punishment and mental harassment of schoolchildren, including their involvement in “political programmes” during school hours.
Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistresses general secretary Chandan Maity said, “School heads never influence students to take part in political events. But the RG Kar incident has shaken society, including students. School heads can’t be blamed if protests are held by students.”