Haridwar primary schools grapple with sanitation crisis, teachers defend students helping with cleaning

Haridwar: Sanitation has emerged as a serious concern at several primary schools in Haridwar, where inadequate funds and staff shortages have forced teachers — and, at times, students — to take on cleaning duties. A visit by TOI to at least six schools on Friday found poor hygiene across campuses, including non-functional toilets, irregular sweeping, and improper waste disposal. In some cases, dirty water from nearby drains was seen entering school premises, increasing health risks for students.At Primary School No. 34 near the city kotwali, maintaining cleanliness remains a daily struggle. With a sweeper visiting only once a week, routine cleaning is carried out by teachers and students. A recent video purportedly shot at the school showed students cleaning classrooms, triggering criticism. Headmistress Sapana Rani defended the situation, saying the school had no alternative. "Those who criticise do not understand our problems," she said, citing acute staff and resource shortages.
She, however, denied that children were made to clean toilets. "No children in the school were ever engaged in cleaning the toilets. We have only three rooms for 112 children across five classes, and half of them sit on the ground. It would be better if people helped solve these problems instead of criticising us for no reason," she said. Three Class 5 students — Radhika, Veera, and Sweety — also said they had never been asked to clean toilets.A teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, supported involving students in maintaining cleanliness. "Our Prime Minister and other leaders, as well as administrative officers, want us to develop cleanliness habits. What is wrong if children help keep the campus clean?" the teacher said.District education officer Amit Kumar said the headmistress was asked to explain the allegations. Rani said the video was recorded during a cleanliness campaign organised by the administration to instil "a culture of cleanliness, community service and dignity of labour" among students.Similar concerns over inadequate sanitation funds were raised at other schools. Reshu Verma, headmistress of Gandhi Ashram Primary School in Kankhal, said only Rs 2,500 of the annual Rs 25,000 grant is earmarked for cleanliness, which she described as insufficient. "We pay Rs 500 to the sweeper from our own pockets," she said.