In cash-strapped government schools that cannot afford to hire cleaning staff, it’s common for teachers to ask students to maintain bathrooms and classrooms.
On Wednesday, a Block Education Officer (BEO) surprised pupils, teachers and residents when he decided to lead by example and cleaned two toilets in a government school in a village in Kolar district.
Speaking to The Hindu after his visit to the school on Wednesday, Kempaiah B.P., BEO, Bangarpet, said he had read media reports that the Government Lower Primary School in Karmanahalli in Bangarpet taluk was in a bad shape after the rains.
“I visited the school and found that two of the three toilets were clogged. I decided to clean it. Later, teachers and the students joined in and helped me clean the school,” he said.
Mr. Kempaiah used a stick to clean the clogged toilet and removed the dirt with his hands, as no tools were available. As the video went viral and villagers began praising him, the block education officer said it was ‘no big deal’, and cited the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi using a broom.
After cleaning the toilets, he inspected the school and also ate the midday meal with students. He later instructed teachers to keep the school clean and asked them to involve the alumni association to improve the condition of the premise.
The school has 42 students and two teachers.
