Project to promote hygienic practices in schools launched in Sikkim

    Gangtok, Feb 23 (PTI) In the light of post COVID
scenario a unique initiative 'Udbhav' has been launched to
promote hygienic practices at all levels for school going
children in Sikkim on Tuesday.
    Every child friendly school requires appropriate wash
initiatives that keep the school environment clean and free of
smells and inhibit the transmission of harmful bacteria,
viruses and parasites.
    Project 'Udbhav' was launched in 10 schools of Sikkim
with the association of Education Department of Sikkim and
Alkem Foundation and Sulabh School Sanitation Club, New Delhi.
The aim of this project is to ensure that all students
continue their studies in a safe and healthy environment, a
release said.
    While launching the campaign at Government Secondary
School, Chakung, West Sikkim, state Education minister Kunga
Nima Lepcha said COVID-19 has left a great impact on the
social and mental life of the students.
    Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, G P
Upadhay said that under this project four Covid Resource
Centres are being opened in four schools of Sikkim.
    Effort will be on to train students and teachers on
implementing physical distancing and school hygiene practices
and also to promote hygienic practices at all levels and for
all staff of the school system, with an emphasis on
handwashing and respiratory etiquette, he added.
    Soreng MLA Aditya Golay Tamang said that this
programme shall focus on the development of life skills and
the mobilisation and involvement of teachers, students,
parents, communities, governments and institutions to work
together to improve hygiene, water and sanitation conditions
in the identified schools of Sikkim.
    Rupak Roy Choudhury, National Coordinator, Sulabh Wash
in School Programme opined that its time to plan and prepare
for the immediate future and Project 'Udbhav' would try to
harp on the fact that schooling is not equivalent to merely
learning, but encompasses a social space, a social process, to
learn to live, think and act for one's self and the collective
good.
    Sharing plan of this campaign Roy Choudhary said that
about 400 students and 100 teachers are going to be trained
under the Project 'Udbhav'. The project would provide school
leaders with clear guidance to establish procedures if
students or staff become unwell.
    The project shall encourage the use of hand sanitizer,
emphasize the importance of proper use of cloth masks and
accordingly vending machines that can dispense masks,
sanitizers and napkins are also being installed in some
schools of Sikkim.
    About 250 students and teachers from West Sikkim
participated in this event by adhering to the Covid protocols.
    Lok Sabha member Indra Hang Subba, Ramakant Rai,
General Manager of Alkem Labs and others officials of Sikkim
government also attended the programme. PTI COR
RG RG

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)