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The Karnataka government has directed government first-grade colleges to prohibit students from taking selfies or shooting reels during educational tours, citing safety concerns, and has capped the duration of excursions, including travel, at five days.
The Department of Collegiate Education issued the detailed safety guidelines on September 11 and directed principals to brief students about the restrictions before the start of a tour. Faculty members have also been asked to closely monitor students during excursions.
According to the Times of India report, colleges must obtain written approval from the department before organising an educational tour. They must also submit undertakings from students and formal consent from parents along with the tour proposal.
Once a tour is approved, its itinerary cannot be changed. Students cannot be taken to locations that are not included in the approved plan. The department has also advised colleges against organising educational tours during the monsoon season.
For tours involving potentially risky locations such as rivers, seas, waterfalls, dense forests or steep hills, colleges have been directed to make safety arrangements in advance.
If trekking or swimming is included in the itinerary, students can participate only when certified experts are part of the team and local safety clearances have been obtained.
Local police officers must also be informed about the tour. Colleges have to provide the police with details of the trip and its itinerary. At least one permanent lecturer must accompany every tour. Students cannot be taken on excursions supervised only by guest lecturers. The number of teaching staff accompanying a tour has been capped at four. The team must include two female lecturers and one Group D employee.
