'Cleanliness awards to be open for pvt schools from next year'

The national awards for the cleanest schools, given by the human resource development ministry, will also be open to private schools across the country from next year, Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
The 'Swachchta Vidyalaya Puraskar' was instituted this year by the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF to recognise, inspire and celebrate excellence in water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in schools.
"This year 2,68,402 schools from both central and state governments participated voluntarily in the competition which is in itself an achievement. From next year the competition will be open to private schools as well," Javadekar said while addressing the gathering at the awards function.

According to an HRD ministry official, "35 states and union territories participated in this competition at district and state levels. Out of 643 schools shortlisted by the states, 172 schools were selected for the national awards".
The winner schools were given an award of Rs 50,000 each as additional school grant to be utilised for cleanliness- related activities.
Besides the winner schools, awards for 11 districts with highest participation were given to the concerned district education officers.
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, which have been declared the top three states with maximum number of clean schools, were also awarded certificates of recognition.

"Students are our cleanliness ambassadors. It is the need of the hour to change our mindsets and inculcate the habit of cleanliness everywhere in the country," Javadekar said.