I have completed my schooling and intermediate. Now I am pursuing my graduation
which is about to end. My academics have been upgraded with beginner to advanced
subjects. But one thing has remained constant in my education: my classroom.
The classroom that appears in the morning may not look the same after class hours. Why?
Any guesses? You are probably right – it’s filled with dust, pencil shavings, crumpled
papers, snacks covers, and bits of food etc.
But the next morning, the classroom looks neat and tidy because the cleaning staff
sweep the floor and also collect the waste from the trash bin. Yet, some of the students
still create a messy class instead of throwing things in the dustbin. We often see in
schools the walls and benches of classrooms filled with pencil and pen scribbling,
which annoys me a lot. Do they do this at their homes? Absolutely not! We have been
taught in schools to keep our surroundings clean, yet it is not reflected in the classroom
or, at least, in the school premises.
Students in schools have been taught in their textbooks and by lectures about how a
green environment can benefit their lives by implementing natural sources like
renewable energy, organic farming, and eco-friendly activities, etc. To promote
awareness and the importance of a clean and healthy environment, many programs
have been held in school, such as Swatch Bharat, Haritha Haram, essay, quotes and
pamphlet competitions, save water campaigns, and best out of waste initiatives to
reduce plastic usage etc.
But those practices are hardly followed for more than one day, as they are often just for
publicity. Students quickly return to their normal lives without trying to put those ideas
into action. Does one’s knowledge in cleaning pertain occasionally only in school
boundaries, and can’t it be explored further? Despite many efforts, cleaning remains a
big issue that needs to be dealt with using ideal measures, and it can be possible
through school encouragement. For example, they continue to use plastic items instead
of opting for handmade products which can help in reducing usage of plastic.
Although there has been a significant spread of awareness about the positive results
that can be achieved from cleaning techniques, people’s ignorance and lethargic
attitudes still increase these problems. I personally believe that schools can serve as a
driving force to enable clean-up efforts through the promotion of creative ideas.
A student should not only be satisfied with fulfilling basic necessities like eating,
drinking, and clothing, but also with an organized and spotless environment that can
improve their thinking. This change needs to start in the classroom, and students
should establish strict rules for anyone who goes against the cleaning parameters.
School clean-up doesn’t just mean students wearing proper uniforms or adhering to
standard procedures, but also having a sense of hygiene and sanitation in school events
as well as in their community.
In conclusion, the school plays a major role in demonstrating the cleaning methods
adopted by a student for the purpose of ecosystem or personal care in order to
eliminate worries. Therefore, clean-up should be an utmost priority in school to
overcome negligence and troublemaking habits.
by Dulipalla Shravya