The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has come under criticism after several of its functionaries used school premises to conduct programmes celebrating the birthday of party president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, raising questions about compliance with School Education Department regulations that prohibit politically linked activities in educational institutions, as reported in The New Indian Express.
The controversy emerged after a series of events linked to Vijay’s birthday were reportedly held inside school campuses across Tamil Nadu.
In Trichy, TVK functionaries organised a blood donation camp at a Corporation school in Karumandapam on Sunday. Party banners and photographs were displayed prominently at the venue during the programme.
A similar event was reportedly conducted at a primary school in Uppiliyapuram Union opposite the Sub-Registrar’s Office, where TVK banners were displayed within the school premises.
The issue gained further attention after members of TVK’s East Assembly constituency unit distributed food to students at an aided primary school in Marakkadai last week. During the programme, a photograph of Chief Minister Vijay was also displayed inside the school.
According to sources in the School Education Department, the Marakkadai event was conducted with the permission of the school management. However, departmental approval had reportedly not been obtained before the programme was held.
The incidents have drawn criticism from opposition leaders and educationists, who argued that educational institutions should remain free from political activities.
Former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi stated on social media that political parties should refrain from sending their functionaries into school campuses, filming reels inside classrooms and involving students in political messaging. He reportedly argued that such activities could distract students and place teachers in an uncomfortable position.
Meanwhile, We The Leaders founder K. Annamalai urged the government to ensure that classrooms and school campuses are not used for political programmes or promotional activities.
The controversy has also put the spotlight on the Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), issued in 2024, which lays down strict guidelines regarding the conduct of external programmes inside educational institutions.
According to education department sources, the SOP mandates that prior approval must be obtained before programmes involving external organisations can be conducted in schools. The guidelines also require NGOs, resource persons and other participants to be vetted by designated committees before they are permitted to interact with students.
A senior official from the elementary education department in Trichy reportedly stated that only approved organisations are allowed to conduct educational programmes in schools after proper verification. The official further noted that even educationists and resource persons cannot directly participate in school activities without prior approval and that only headmasters are authorised to display approved photographs within school premises.
Former District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Principal S. Sivakumar stated that the SOP was specifically framed to ensure accountability and protect students from external influence and unnecessary exposure to political or ideological messaging.
Amid mounting criticism, School Education Minister A. Rajmohan publicly condemned one of the incidents involving the display of Vijay’s photograph inside a government school in Kancheepuram.
The minister described the display of the Chief Minister’s photograph inside a government school classroom as unacceptable. The remarks came after reports surfaced that TVK members had entered a classroom in Kancheepuram and displayed Vijay’s photograph before students.
Rajmohan reportedly stated that he had discussed the matter with Minister N. Anand and that party members had been instructed to restrict their engagement to school headmasters. He further stated that disciplinary action had already been initiated against the functionary responsible for the incident.
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