Bihar bars classroom video reels and visitor access during school hours

The Bihar Education Department has ordered that teachers and pupils may not record or upload videos on social media while classes are in session unless they obtain prior clearance. The rule, issued on November 4 by Vijay Kumar Pandey, the director of administration for the department, directs district education officers and programme officers to enforce the ban across all government schools. It also stops unauthorised guests from entering school premises during teaching periods. The move follows a dress‑code directive announced on October 30 that required teachers and support staff to wear formal attire during work hours. Officials say filming in class can distract learning and may breach students’ privacy. The regulation cites the Bihar Government Servant Conduct Rules of 1976 and its 2026 amendment as its legal basis. A senior department official, who asked to stay anonymous, said the aim is to safeguard privacy, keep discipline and avoid disruptions, adding that breaching the order could lead to disciplinary action. The department clarified that staff may use social media only after receiving written permission from their superiors, and that recordings of cultural events, tree‑planting drives, blood‑donation campaigns or national celebrations are allowed only with the same approval. The rule also bans posting obscene, defamatory or security‑threatening material, as well as any content that infringes intellectual‑property rights. ## Context In recent years several Indian states have introduced similar guidelines to limit the use of phones and social‑media content in schools, aiming to protect student data and maintain a focused learning environment.