The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has prohibited private schools across Tamil Nadu from hosting political, ideological, or communal activities on their premises, even outside school hours. The amendment to the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules bars external organisations from conducting meetings, campaigns, or instructional events on school campuses.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has formally prohibited private schools from hosting political, ideological, or communal activities on their premises, citing the need to maintain school campuses as neutral academic zones.

The School Education Department, through a government order issued on March 2, has notified significant amendments to the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules. The move aims to ensure that educational infrastructure is utilised primarily and exclusively for student welfare and academic instruction.

According to the amended rules, no school premises -- including buildings, playgrounds, or halls -- shall be used for any program, meeting, campaign, or instruction by external persons or organisations that are political, ideological, communal, or divisive.

This specifically targets activities likely to promote disharmony or ill-will based on religion, race, caste, language, or community. Crucially, the ban applies both during and outside school hours, effectively barring such events on weekends, public holidays, and during winter or summer vacations.