To promote the values of cleanliness, discipline and respect for environment, the Central Board of Secondary Education has asked its affiliated schools to observe ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ or Cleanliness Fortnight on their respective campuses from 1st Sep to 15th Sep, 2018.
With this aim, various activities were conducted in APS Mathura to spread the importance of cleanliness and sanitation among children. The Cleanliness drive began with an OATH TAKING CEREMONY wherein all the students took pledge not to litter and keep their surroundings clean. Also the students alongwith the teachers stepped out of their classes for SHRAMDAAN which was conducted to educate and sensitize the children about the importance of cleanliness for a healthy, socially responsible, economically dynamic and progressive nation. Furthermore, an informative speech on the importance of Handwash was delivered by ACSHA PATRA of Class V wherein she informed the students that how essential it is to wash hands to defend against the spread of many diseases. She told the students to follow the practice of washing hands before eating, after using the washroom, after touching animals/pets etc. She also told the right method of washing hands. Besides this, the tiny tots of our school participated in this mission enthusiastically and came up with very creative ideas reflected through their posters on the theme ‘Cleanliness’. Then, an inter-house letter-writing competition was conducted for the classes IX-XII wherein 8 students from all the four houses participated in which they wrote letters to the Prime Minister of India, Local Authorities, Editors and the School Management to spread the message of cleanliness on a massive scale. With this the mission ended successfully.
The children were motivated to continue such practices so as to keep the school premises and surrounding areas clean. We all worked hand in hand for the success of the campaign. It was a unique experience for all of us. We were curious to be the part of this great drive that could have transformed the face of our country forever.