DSHE orders strict cleanliness at all educational institutions to prevent dengue

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has instructed all educational institutions in the country to ensure cleanliness and overall discipline to prevent dengue. Every part of each institution, from classrooms to rooftops, must be kept clean regularly.

The instruction, issued on October 18, asks heads of institutions to take these measures. The matter has been marked as 'very urgent' in the directive.

According to the directive, classrooms, offices, verandas, rooftops, toilets and the surroundings of institutions must be cleaned regularly. Any accumulated water must be removed quickly.

The directive says that as part of inspections of various hospitals, educational institutions and residential areas of government officials in Dhaka, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently made surprise visits to several establishments including Rajuk Uttara Model College, Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College and Mirpur Bangla College.

It is in that context that instructions have been given to take necessary measures to ensure the overall environment, cleanliness and discipline of all educational institutions across the country, including Dhaka metropolis.

Institutions must regularly check whether water has accumulated anywhere. Alongside quick removal of standing water, effective measures must be taken to destroy mosquito breeding grounds to prevent dengue.

Aedes mosquitoes usually breed in accumulated clean water. Rainwater collecting in containers left on rooftops, verandas or corners of an institution can create breeding grounds — the emphasis on regular checks aims to remove that risk.

The directive also calls for awareness activities on dengue prevention involving teachers, students and staff. In other words, not just cleaning drives, but awareness-building is part of the programme.

At the same time, institutions have been asked to ensure a healthy environment, overall discipline and necessary administrative preparedness.

The directive, signed by DSHE Director (College and Administration) Professor Md Nazmul Haque, has been sent to regional directors, principals of government and private colleges, head teachers of schools, district education officers and upazila and thana secondary education officers, according to news agency BSS.

With the directive reaching institutions nationwide, how far it is implemented at the field level remains to be seen. The initiative will only be effective in reducing dengue risk if institutions carry out regular cleaning and water removal continuously.