The Delhi Government has directed all schools to observe Swachhata Pakhwada from September 16 to 30 to promote cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene among students, teachers and the local community.
The cleanliness drive will be observed in schools under different managements such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB), Delhi State Welfare (DSW), Government-aided schools and private unaided schools, a circular stated.
The Swachhata Pakhwada campaign is being conducted for the 10th consecutive year, it stated, adding the Government is encouraging schools to actively participate and create awareness on issues like waste management, water conservation and plastic pollution.
Under this initiative, schools will organise various activities throughout the two weeks. These include cleaning classrooms and school premises, holding meetings between parents and teachers and teaching students the importance of hand washing and maintaining hygiene.
Schools will also conduct competitions such as essay writing, slogan making, painting, quiz and model-making on cleanliness and hygiene, the circular said.
According to it, students and teachers are expected to work together and spread the message of cleanliness among their families, neighbours and local communities.
Awareness about reducing the use of single-use plastics and adopting the “3R” principle — reduce, reuse, and recycle — will also be promoted. Furthermore, schools are required to inspect water and sanitation facilities and prepare a quick assessment to ensure they are clean and functional, the circular stated. The aim of the campaign is to encourage students to develop lifelong habits related to cleanliness and hygiene, the Government circular stated.
