Maharashtra to launch special cleanliness drive in all schools from October 18; check details

The drive aims to make school premises cleaner, safer and more welcoming while promoting environmental conservation. Representational pic

The Maharashtra government will conduct a special cleanliness drive across all schools in the state from October 18 to 31, focusing on deep cleaning, minor repairs and improving the overall school environment.

The School Education Department issued a circular on Friday, outlining a two-phase campaign titled ‘Chala Shalet Jau Ya... Special School Cleanliness Campaign'. The initiative will involve school management committees, teachers, students, parents, former students, villagers and local communities.

The drive aims to make school premises cleaner, safer and more welcoming while promoting environmental conservation, dignity of labour, social responsibility and discipline among students.

Schools to prepare action plans in first phase

The first phase, scheduled from October 18 to 24, will involve special meetings of School Management Committees to coordinate participation and plan the work.

Schools will inspect classrooms, offices, laboratories, libraries, computer rooms, toilets, drinking water facilities and playgrounds. Based on these assessments, each school will prepare an action plan covering cleaning, minor repairs and beautification.

Deep cleaning, waste removal in second phase

The second phase, from October 25 to 31, will focus on implementing the plans. Classrooms and other rooms will undergo thorough cleaning, including floors, walls, doors, windows, ceilings and fans.

Toilets, handwashing areas, drinking water tanks and water supply systems will also be cleaned. Schools will remove waste and unnecessary materials from their premises, playgrounds and entrances, establish appropriate waste segregation systems and take measures to address mosquito and insect infestations and other potential health hazards.

Unsafe electrical connections and broken furniture to be repaired

The campaign will also cover inspections of electrical systems, water supply facilities, toilets, furniture, doors and windows. Minor repairs and maintenance will be undertaken wherever required, with priority given to hazardous electrical connections, broken furniture and other unsafe areas that could put students at risk.

Unusable and obsolete materials will be sorted and disposed of in accordance with prescribed procedures.

Schools barred from collecting compulsory contributions

The expenses for deep cleaning, minor repairs, maintenance and other permitted activities will be met from the composite grants provided to schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

The department has explicitly instructed schools not to collect compulsory financial contributions or funds from students for the campaign.

Headmasters to oversee implementation

Under the motto ‘My School, My Responsibility', the campaign will encourage participation from school management committees, teachers, parents, former students' associations, villagers, local representatives and non-governmental organisations. Corporate social responsibility initiatives and local social organisations may also participate wherever possible.

The headmaster or principal of each school will be responsible for overseeing the campaign's implementation at the school level. The initiative is also intended to strengthen efforts under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to improve basic facilities and create a more conducive learning environment.