Clean Friday: Enhancing School Environment through Community Engagement
Departemen Sastra Inggris
Azki Izzur Rabbani
June 1, 2024
Operations
SDG 11
The reported activity is “Clean Friday” conducted at Banthamaprao School, Thailand. Every Friday morning, all students from grades 1 to 6 participate in cleaning the school environment. The primary goal of this activity is to welcome a significant day for Muslims, considering that the majority of the community at the school is Muslim. The implementers of this activity are all school students, supported by teachers and school staff.
This activity is carried out regularly every Friday as part of efforts to maintain a clean, healthy, and comfortable school environment for all school members. By involving students from grades 1 to 6, the activity aims to teach cleanliness values and social responsibility from an early age. The location of this activity is at Banthamaprao School, which serves as an educational institution for many students from the local community.
Through “Clean Friday,” the school not only promotes environmental cleanliness but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and environmental care among students and the entire school community.
The “Clean Friday” initiative at Banthamaprao School is executed through a systematic approach where students from grades 1 to 6 gather weekly to clean their school environment. Beginning with instructions and allocation of tasks, students actively engage in litter collection, sweeping, and maintaining communal areas. This initiative significantly contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by fostering a clean, safe, and inclusive school environment. By instilling habits of cleanliness and environmental stewardship early on, the program not only supports sustainable urban development but also promotes a sense of community responsibility among students, ensuring they play an active role in maintaining a sustainable and resilient school environment.
Figure 1. Students cleaning the front yard of the school
The photo shows students cleaning the front yard of the school early in the morning, the day before their last school day of the week (5 working days). They arrive earlier than usual to ensure the relatively large school yard is cleaned quickly. With great enthusiasm, they work together to tidy up the area before they have to gather neatly on the field for a ceremony at 8 a.m.
This scene highlights the students’ teamwork and sense of responsibility towards their school environment. Cleaning the yard reflects their commitment to maintaining a clean and comfortable school environment for everyone, while also showing their readiness to participate in regular school ceremonies.
Figure 2. students cleaning the toilet/restrooms.
The next image depicts students cleaning the restrooms, recognizing them as breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. Students are seen sorting waste into wet and dry categories. This activity directly relates to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. By ensuring hygienic and clean facilities, the initiative contributes to creating safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. Proper waste management and sanitation practices in schools not only promote health and well-being but also instill habits of cleanliness and environmental responsibility among students. This effort supports SDG 11’s goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by enhancing infrastructure and ensuring access to safe and inclusive green and public spaces, which starts with everyday practices like proper waste disposal and cleanliness in school environments.