All schools have been instructed to conduct the six-day programme, which was formally launched by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi.

The nationwide campaign was launched by Maneka Gandhi on Friday: Hundreds of students across the country took up the task of cleaning their school premises as part of the Bal Swachhata Mission on Saturday. Children from government and aided institutions cleared municipal waste collected in their school premises besides clearing the debris and weed.

All schools have been instructed to conduct the six-day programme, which was formally launched by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi in Delhi on Friday on the occasion of Children’s Day.  On the first day of the campaign, children were involved in cleaning classrooms. On the second day, they cleaned the school premises. “We have received instructions to join the nationwide campaign,” said T.A. Partha, headmaster of the high school wing of Government Junior College for Boys in Hassan.

When this reporter visited the school premises, the children were seen clearing the playground and the cycle stand, where mud had collected over the years. The children were provided with digging equipment and given instructions by the teachers. On whether the department had provided handgloves or masks for students, the headmaster replied in negative.

Personal hygiene: As per the guidelines issued by the Centre, the children should concentrate on personal hygiene at home on Sunday. “On Monday, children are supposed to clean toilets. The last two days will concentrate on drinking water and health of children. This is to sensitise children on the importance of hygiene and sanitation,” Mr. Partha said.

The scene was similar in many schools. In Government Urdu Higher Primary School at Pension Mohalla, even anganwadi children were engaged in cleaning work.

Risks involved: Bal Swachhata mission is part of the Swachh Bharat campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary last month. Educationists have criticised the programme stating that it exposes children to dangerous situations.

“In the name of Swachh Bharat we are pushing children to take up hazardous activities. Their safety is not given due attention. Many children in government schools don’t even have slippers. They may sustain injuries or infection in the process of cleaning,” said V.P. Niranjan Aradhya, fellow at the Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University, Bengaluru.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/children-pick-up-the-broom-as-part-of-bal-swachhata-mission/article6603395.ece