In a State level workshop on progress and complexities arising in implementation of hand wash programme in schools experts brainstormed on how to install facilities for hand wash for the students in each school of the State. The workshop was organised on the theme — ‘WASH in School: Progress and Challenge’ at here on Thursday by life Education and Devlopment Support (lEADS) supported by UNICEF.
Chief Guest, Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) Arti Kujur explained the importance of cleanliness and hygiene to the kids present in the workshop. She stressed on giving priority to awareness on cleanliness. “There is a need for running the Cleanliness Programme in village with more vigour,” she said.
Deputy Mayor, Ranchi, Sanjeev Vijayvargiya stressed on maintaining cleanliness within the school premises. “Indians have taken care of cleanliness from ancient times. Even washing feet of guests has been a culture in the society. Impact of western civilisation has altered it,” he remarked.
Principal Secretary of School Education and literacy, AP Singh informed about the work done in regards of cleanliness in different cities. Singh stressed upon assessment of impact of School Management Committee (SMC) and proposed to increase it through practical ways. He told malnutrition to be a problem for government and pointed out the need for improvement in Child Cabinet Monitoring.
Ajay Kumar from UNICEF said, “Every year 30 lakh kids die due to squalor as per statistics of UNICEF. It makes it more important that kids are made aware about cleanliness and hygiene through different campaigns.” He told that Ramgarh is the only town of the country where every school has facility of hand wash.
Samish Sharma from lEADS said “My team came up with seven point programme and informed villagers about importance of lavatories through meetings.” He told that there was a positive response from inspection of schools. “As many as 699 schools are running hand wash programme.” He added. Kumar Premchand, WASH Specialist, UNICEF said, “people are willingly associating with the cause and hand wash campaign in Ramgarh and Koderma has witnessed cent per cent success.”
Earlier, the workshop was inaugurated by the guests. Role play by Bal Sansad on WASH was displayed during the workshop and they received school bags as gift. Chairperson, JSCPCR, Arti Kujur along with Sanjeev Vijayvargiya, Deputy Mayor of Ranchi, A P Singh, Principal Secretary of School Education, Kumar Premchand, Wash Specialist of UNICEF and other distinguished guest participated in the workshop.