'Spiritual' speaker effect: Rigid rules for school events

THREE months after the school education department faced criticism for allowing self-proclaimed spiritual speaker Mahavishu to deliver controversial speeches in government schools, the department has come up with detailed guidelines on who can be invited for events in schools, including private and CBSE schools, across the state.

- SUBASHINI VIJAYAKUMAR

The guidelines include the formation of state and district-level vetting committees.

However, in its attempt to prevent unsavory incidents, the department seems to have gone for overkill. Clearance from the intelligence wing of the police has been made mandatory for school events involving external entities.

According to the new guidelines, any new organization that wants to engage with a school for any philanthropic or other activity must get antecedent clearance from the intelligence wing of the police. Only those NGOs and chief guests who are part of a proposed state-approved list can be invited for events in schools.