Maharashtra to launch special cleanliness drive in all schools

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.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.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.