Taking steps to strengthen the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan at 40,000 Government schools, a month long drive 'Swacch Vidyalaya Swasth Bacche' will be organised from August 18 to September 17 across the state. The state level launch is scheduled on August 18 to be followed with the district and block level workshops on August 20 and 21. Daily activities related to the campaign will commence in schools from August 22.
Events based on plantation, managing kitchen gardens, ensurign hygiene in toilets and co-curricular activities are planned for spreading the awareness among teachers and students.
"The main purpose is to encourage children in adapting the basic sanitation habits like keeping the toilets clean by flushing water and washing hands after using. School Management Committee (SMC), Mahila Samakhya, NGOs, Corporate Houses and Bal Sansad have been divided responsibilities regarding the events," said HRD Secretary Aradhana Patnaik. Sources said three to four NGOs have been given the task to monitor the awareness programmes organized under the drive in each district.
However, the campaign will be organized in Dumka and Deoghar districts from August 30 to September 30 due to the ongoing Shravani Mela.
In order to discuss and preparing the final format, Patnaik had called a meeting with NGO representatives including UNICEF, Plan India and Save the Children on Tuesday. Instructions over the campaign were given to the District Superintendents of Education (DSEs) on Wednesday.
"We want children to maintain the health and hygiene habits. Primary class's students would be guided by senior students for following the habits," the HRD Secretary added.
Observing the problems in unavailability of toilets in most of the government schools, DSEs were earlier asked to improve the conditions by the end of this week. "Many schools are deprived of water connection. We have told the education officers to provide an alternate arrangement such as keeping a bucket filled with water in the boys and girls toilet respectively," said Patnaik.
The HRD is also keeping a check on filling the 25 percent Below Poverty line (BPl) quota seats as per Right to Education (RTE) Act. "Both private and government schools in all the 24 districts are bound to fill the seats for deserving students hailing from economical weak background. In Dhanbad, schools have received application for such admission but in Ranchi, East Singhbhum and Hazaribagh districts it is not the same. We had set a target of filling the seats within 38 days of which hardly 30 days are left. DSEs were ordered to monitor the valid application forms within the one month time frame," said Patnaik.
By August 30, schools failing to get approval for recognition across the state will have to get the legal status. HRD is serious to take action upon those violating the norms of recognition.
Besides, the school administrative focus, Patnaik informed that the government is working on war footing level to complete the pending teacher's recruitment from class 6-8 and 1-5. "Since the last date for applying in the class6-8 schools is ending today we hope to upload the list of appointed teachers soon in our website,' said the HRD Secretary.