Punjab Education Department releases Rs 24.52 crore for deep cleansing of schools

As Punjab prepares to reopen schools on Monday after a prolonged closure due to floods, the Department of School Education has launched a state-wide deep cleansing and sanitation drive in government schools, with special emphasis on rural areas.

The campaign is being jointly executed with the Department of Rural Development and panchayats to restore schools to safe and hygienic conditions.

To support the effort, the department has released Rs 24.52 crore to primary and middle schools under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (2025-26) for cleaning purposes. High and senior secondary schools have been authorised to use composite school grants or amalgamated funds. Monitoring of the clean-up will be conducted by Block Nodal Officers, Block Education Officers, and DEOs.

In an official communication issued today, School Education Secretary Anindita Mitra, IAS, directed all District Education Officers to ensure thorough cleaning of school premises before the resumption of classes. Teachers and staff have been asked to report on duty from September 8 to take part in the sanitation exercise, supported by urban local bodies and village panchayats.

The floods had caused significant damage to infrastructure, prompting the state to declare holidays in all government and private schools from August 27 to September 7. With floodwaters now receding, the decision to reopen has been left to the respective Deputy Commissioners, depending on the extent of damage in each district.

The instructions mandate removal of debris, mud and collapsed structures from campuses, thorough cleaning and drying of furniture before reuse, sanitisation of drinking water tanks and sources with chlorine/bleach, along with water quality testing. Cleaning and stocking of toilets and sanitation facilities with adequate supplies. Technical inspection of electrical equipment and wiring before restoring power and anti-mosquito fogging to prevent vector-borne diseases.

“The involvement of village-level administration is critical as it allows the government to leverage community resources and knowledge to speed up the process of getting students back to their studies,” a senior functionary of the department said.

The government has made it clear that if any school building is found to be structurally unsafe, students will not be allowed inside until safety inspections are conducted by the engineering department on the orders of the DC.