Maharashtra to run special cleanliness drive in all schools from October 18 to 31

The state government has decided to run the 'Chalo School Chalein... Special School Cleanliness Campaign' in every school in the state between October 18 and 31, 2026. School management committees, teachers, students, parents, former students, villagers and members of the local community will join hands. With everyone's help, schools will be cleaned, beautified and maintained, so that the environment for learning improves further.

The School Education Department issued a circular on the campaign on October 16, 2026. The campaign aims to keep school premises clean, attractive, safe and cheerful. It also aims to instil in students a sense of cleanliness, environmental protection, dignity of labour, social responsibility and discipline. The campaign will carry forward efforts under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to provide essential basic facilities and a good learning environment in schools.

The drive will run in two phases. In the first phase, between October 18 and 24, each school will hold a special meeting of its school management committee. The meeting will fix the participation of teachers, parents, villagers and former students. Classrooms, offices, labs, libraries, computer rooms, toilets, drinking water systems and playgrounds will then be inspected. On the basis of the inspection, each school will draw up an action plan covering cleaning, repairs and beautification.

The actual work will be done in the second phase, between October 25 and 31. Floors, walls, doors, windows, ceilings and fans in classrooms and other rooms will be cleaned thoroughly. Toilets, hand-washing areas, drinking water tanks and water supply systems will also be cleaned. Garbage and unwanted items will be removed from the school campus, playground and entrance, and waste will be segregated properly. Necessary steps will also be taken to eliminate mosquitoes, insects and other health hazards.

The campaign will include checks on electrical systems, water supply, toilets, furniture, doors and windows, and necessary minor repairs and maintenance will be carried out. For students' safety, dangerous electrical connections, broken furniture and unsafe spots will be repaired immediately. Useless items will be sorted and disposed of in the prescribed manner.

The School Education Department has clearly instructed that the cost of deep cleaning, minor maintenance, repairs and other approved items will be met from the consolidated grant that schools receive under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. No compulsory financial contribution or fund of any kind will be collected from students.

In the spirit of 'My School, My Responsibility', school management committees, teachers, parents, alumni associations, villagers, local public representatives and NGOs will take an active part in the campaign. CSR partners and local social organisations will also join, depending on availability. The principal will bear full responsibility for implementing the campaign at the school level.