Schools take Swachh Bharat Abhiyan beyond classrooms.

Inspired by students in Japan, where they clean the toilets and filth in their city,Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat- Swachh Vidyalaya drive recently.

Taking this initiative a step ahead, students of Navi Mumbai have taken the initiative beyond classrooms. Schools are encouraging hygiene and sanitation related activities as they are asking students to ensure that the vicinity around their residence is kept clean.

Students of St Augustine's High School were enthusiastic after they cleaned their schools and were eager to step out to ensure that the city is also maintained clean. "We were explained about the need to keep the surrounding clean, with the increasing number of illness, we decided to create awareness outside the school as well. All of us gathered and walked from the school to Nerul station, armed with brooms and ensured that every nook and corner of the station was spic and span. We also spread the message of maintaining a clean surrounding to commuters," said Prachi Shendge, a student from the school.

Meanwhile, students of Ryan International School in Kharghar along with their faculty members participated in a similar drive outside their school premises. "The students were taught about the need to maintain basic hygiene and sanitation, students should understand the adverse health effects of filth lying around. Hence, we explained it to them the impact and the need to maintain a healthy environment," said Alice Vaz, principal of the school.

Students from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation are involved in various cleanliness initiatives, apart from the regular cleanliness drives that are conducted. Amrish Patnigire,education officer from NMMC, said, "It is not about asking students to clean the environment, it includes cleanliness in all aspects and hence, we first asked students to maintain cleanliness within their school and house. After which, they were taught to ensure that they always wash their hands before and after their meal. A session was conducted by doctors in civic schools across the city. They not only highlighted the need for hygiene but also taught ten simple methods to clean and wash hands. This made the children more enthusiastic about the whole process."

Teachers feel that if students are taught about the need to maintain basic sanitation and cleanliness in all aspects, then they will also ensure that these are maintained at home. Thus, making it easier for the society to spread the message of a clean and beautiful city.