All schools across Maharashtra will undergo a special cleanliness and maintenance drive from October 18 to 31, with the state government directing schools to conduct deep cleaning and minor repairs to address potentially unsafe infrastructure. The order was issued on October 17.
The government has also directed schools to clean water tanks and handwashing areas, remove waste and unnecessary material from their premises, put systems in place for waste segregation and take measures against mosquitoes, insects and other potential health hazards. “The government should provide a separate fund for the cleanliness drive instead of asking schools to manage the additional expenses through the existing composite school grant.
Schools already have several routine expenses to take care of, and deep cleaning, maintenance and minor repairs will add to the financial burden,” said a headmaster from Pune, requesting anonymity.
