TNCRW seeks accountability over frisking of students ahead of CM Vijay’s school visit

The Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch (TNCRW) has sought accountability after reports that schoolchildren were frisked and their bags checked ahead of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s visit to a city school on September 22 for the launch of the expanded breakfast programme.

While welcoming the extension of the breakfast scheme to Classes 6 to 8, which will benefit an additional 15.30 lakh students in government and government-aided schools, the child rights organisation said security arrangements for VIP visits should not come at the expense of children’s dignity and rights.

TNCRW said schools must remain safe, respectful and child-friendly spaces. It stressed that security measures during visits by constitutional and public office-holders should be proportionate, age-sensitive and non-intimidating, while respecting children’s privacy.

The organisation urged the TVK government and the departments concerned to establish who authorised and directed the frisking of students and checking of school bags. It also sought clarification on whether the measures were part of an approved security protocol for the Chief Minister’s visit.

As an alternative to checking school bags, TNCRW suggested that schools could declare a “No-Bag Day” in advance whenever bags are considered a security concern. Parents and students, it said, should be informed beforehand so that any such arrangement is transparent and does not subject children to intrusive checks.

The organisation also called for a review of existing security procedures for VIP visits to schools and the formulation of child-friendly guidelines for police personnel, the School Education Department, Social Welfare Department, district administrations and schools.

TNCRW said responsibility for VIP security should remain with designated security and law-enforcement agencies rather than being shifted onto children through intrusive measures.

It sought corrective action if the reported frisking and bag checks were found to have violated children’s rights or dignity and urged the government to institutionalise child-rights and safeguarding protocols for official events held in schools.