The Dhaka district administration has launched a pilot project called “Clean School Teams” at 21 educational institutions to promote cleanliness among students and raise awareness about dengue prevention.
The initiative, which involves five institutions in Dhaka city and others across the district’s 16 upazilas, was inaugurated on Wednesday by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Miah in the deputy commissioner’s conference room.
Inspired by Japan’s O-soji model, which encourages people to clean their own surroundings, the initiative aims to instil habits of cleanliness, promote respect for labour and foster a sense of responsibility among students.
Speaking at the inauguration, Moniruzzaman said the model went beyond routine cleaning and could help cultivate discipline and responsibility among students.
“When students develop the habit of keeping their own schools clean, it creates a positive ripple effect in their families and the wider community,” he said.
He added that ensuring a clean and healthy learning environment required the collective participation of teachers, students, parents and other stakeholders.
Addressing concerns about drug abuse and juvenile gangs, the divisional commissioner urged parents and teachers to remain attentive to children’s social circles and encourage them to participate in constructive activities. He said social initiatives should begin in schools and extend to families and the wider community.
Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanum said cleanliness was not merely about keeping school premises tidy but also about teaching responsibility, respect for labour and care for the environment.
“A clean school today lays the foundation for conscious and responsible citizens of tomorrow,” she said, adding that small, practical steps could help instil these values in students.
She said the initiative also aligned with the vision of building a “Green and Clean Bangladesh”.
Under the pilot project, participating schools will set aside 15–20 minutes each day for cleaning activities. Students will work in small groups to clean designated areas, including classrooms, corridors and libraries, under teachers’ supervision. School staff will remain responsible for cleaning toilets, drains and other potentially hazardous areas.
The programme will also include weekly inspections to identify dengue risks, such as stagnant water and uncovered containers that could serve as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. Schools will document their findings and follow-up measures using checklists.
Under the “My Home, My Responsibility” initiative, students will receive weekly checklists encouraging them to keep their living spaces tidy, dispose of waste properly and prevent water from accumulating around their homes. Teachers will review the checklists every Sunday.
Participating schools will introduce waste segregation systems for biodegradable, recyclable and other waste. Students will also learn how to produce organic fertiliser from biodegradable materials.
The administration has proposed a “Clean School Challenge” to assess institutions based on cleanliness, dengue prevention, waste management and student participation. The best-performing schools, classes and students may receive certificates, books, educational materials or saplings.
The project was initiated by Farida Khanum to extend cleanliness practices beyond school premises and encourage students to spread the message among their families and communities.
On July 8, the Dhaka district administration began forming Clean School Teams in educational institutions across the district. A subsequent three-month research period involved reviewing school activities and studying successful cleanliness models in other countries.
The administration then developed an implementation strategy adapted from Japan’s O-soji model to suit Bangladesh’s context.
