Sat Dec 07 06:48:43 UTC 2024: ## Tamil Nadu Implements Strict Guidelines for School Events Following Controversy
**Chennai, December 7, 2024** – The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has introduced stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing all school events, including tours, forums, and functions, following a controversy involving the invitation of a spiritual speaker to two government schools in Chennai. The new guidelines, effective immediately across all schools in the state, regardless of affiliation, mandate that invited speakers and NGOs must be selected from pre-approved master lists maintained at both state and district levels.
The move comes after Chief Minister M.K. Stalin ordered the department in September to establish guidelines promoting progressive and scientific values in school programs. NGOs seeking participation must submit detailed proposals 15 days in advance to district authorities. A new online portal will facilitate this process.
State and district-level committees, chaired by the School Education Secretary and District Collector respectively, will oversee approvals. These committees include representatives from police, social welfare, and child welfare departments. Individual speakers will also undergo a vetting process by a district-level panel and the District Police Department’s Intelligence Unit before approval. The headmaster must be present at all events to ensure adherence to the guidelines. The entire approval process for individual speakers is to be completed within three days of the Intelligence Unit’s review.
These strict measures aim to ensure that all school events align with the state government’s vision of promoting progressive and scientific values within the educational system.
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