Maharashtra schools will undertake a statewide cleanliness and maintenance drive from October 18 to 31, with the School Education Department directing institutions to deep-clean campuses, address minor repairs and improve facilities used by students and staff.
The two-phase campaign, titled “Chala Shalet Jau Ya Special School Cleanliness Campaign”, was outlined in a circular issued by the department on Friday. It will involve school management committees, teachers, students, parents, former students, villagers and local communities.
The first phase, scheduled from October 18 to 24, will focus on planning and assessment. Schools will hold special meetings of their School Management Committees and inspect classrooms, offices, laboratories, libraries, computer rooms, toilets, drinking water facilities and playgrounds.
Each school will then prepare an action plan identifying the cleaning, minor repair and beautification work required on its premises. The assessment is also expected to identify facilities or conditions that may affect student safety, hygiene or the usability of school buildings.
The second phase, from October 25 to 31, will involve implementation of these plans. Schools will clean floors, walls, doors, windows, ceilings and fans in classrooms and other rooms. Toilets, handwashing areas, drinking water tanks and water supply systems will also be cleaned.
The campaign guidelines require schools to remove waste and unnecessary materials from buildings, playgrounds and entrances. Institutions have also been instructed to establish suitable waste segregation systems and take measures against mosquito and insect infestations and other potential health hazards.
The drive includes inspections of electrical systems, water supply facilities, toilets, furniture, doors and windows. Minor repairs are to be undertaken wherever necessary, with priority given to hazardous electrical connections, broken furniture and other unsafe areas that could put students at risk. Unusable and obsolete materials must be sorted and disposed of according to prescribed procedures.
The department has said that expenses for deep cleaning, minor repairs, maintenance and other permitted activities will be met through composite grants provided to schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. Schools have been explicitly instructed not to collect compulsory contributions or funds from students for the campaign.
Headmasters and principals will be responsible for overseeing implementation at the school level. The campaign’s “My School My Responsibility” approach also allows participation from parents’ and former students’ associations, local representatives, non-governmental organisations, corporate social responsibility initiatives and local social organisations wherever possible.
According to the department, the initiative is intended not only to make school premises cleaner, safer and more welcoming, but also to promote environmental conservation, dignity of labour, social responsibility and discipline among students. It is linked to broader efforts under Samagra Shiksha to improve basic facilities and create a more conducive learning environment.
Schools are expected to complete the planning phase by October 24 and carry out the identified works during the implementation phase ending October 31.
