Supreme Court refuses to hear plea against journalist restrictions in schools

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition seeking to overturn curbs imposed on journalists and activists entering government schools in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The refusal to entertain the plea marks a setback for those challenging the access restrictions at educational institutions in these states.

The petition emerged following the launch of the 'School Thik Karo' campaign by the Centre for Policy Research, an initiative designed to conduct comprehensive audits of government school infrastructure and recommend improvements for neglected facilities across rural India. The campaign had sought to involve media and civil society representatives in documenting school conditions.

The restrictions, implemented by state authorities in both Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, have limited the entry of external parties into government schools without prior approval from education officials. Petitioners had argued that such curbs hindered public accountability and transparency in the education sector.

The Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case suggests the bench found no substantial ground for intervention at this stage. State governments maintain that the restrictions are necessary to protect school functioning and student privacy, though critics contend they limit public oversight of educational institutions receiving public funds.