The Dhaka District Administration has launched a pilot project to implement Japan’s ‘O-Soji’ school cleanliness philosophy across 21 selected schools in the capital, aiming to ensure hygiene, build a sense of responsibility and dignity of labour among students, and bolster dengue prevention awareness.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Md Maniruzzaman Miah inaugurated the pilot project as chief guest during a ceremony held in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office at 11am on Wednesday.
This drive builds upon the “Clean School Teams” formed across all capital educational institutions by the Dhaka District Administration on 8 July. Following nearly three months of research, review of school activities, and evaluation of global cleanliness practices, an implementation framework tailored for Bangladesh was developed based on Japan’s “Osoji” system.
Objectives and vision
Spearheaded by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Farida Khanom, the programme aims not only to keep schools clean, but also to instil permanent habits of cleanliness, discipline, environmental care, and dignity of labour among students. The initiative plans to spread the message of hygiene from schools to families, and ultimately across society.
Under the programme, schools will run daily 15-to-20-minute cleanliness activities according to their routine. Students divided into small groups will clean safe areas such as classrooms, corridors, and libraries under teacher supervision, while designated staff will clean toilets, dirty drains, and hazardous spots.
Dengue surveillance and home practice
To control dengue, schools will conduct weekly risk inspections at least once a week to identify stagnant water, cover water containers, and eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites, logging progress on a checklist.
Additionally, under the “My Home, My Responsibility” initiative, students will receive weekly checklists covering room tidying, proper waste disposal, and preventing stagnant water around their homes, which teachers will evaluate every Sunday.
Waste separation and ‘clean school challenge’
Schools will also arrange separate disposal for biodegradable, recyclable, and other waste, while educating students on producing organic fertiliser from biodegradable waste.
Under the “Clean School Challenge”, school performance in cleanliness, dengue control, waste management, and student participation will be evaluated, with proposals to reward top-performing schools, classes, and students with certificates, books, educational materials, or tree saplings.
Official statements
Emphasising the objective, Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom said, “Cleanliness is not just a matter of keeping schools clean; it is an important lesson in developing a sense of responsibility, dignity of labour, and care for the environment among students”. She added, “Today’s clean school is the foundation for creating aware and responsible citizens of tomorrow”.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Miah noted that the Osoji model is an effective framework for fostering cleanliness, discipline, and responsibility. “If students build the habit of keeping their own school clean, it will also have a positive impact on their family and society,” he said, adding that active participation from teachers, students, parents, and all stakeholders is essential to ensure a clean and healthy learning environment.
