Dhaka District Administration launches Japanese 'O-Soji' cleanliness model in schools to combat dengue
Staff Correspondent
Inspired by Japan's "O-Soji" philosophy, the Dhaka District Administration has launched a pilot initiative incorporating student-led cleanliness routines, dengue prevention protocols, and waste management practices across educational institutions in the capital.
The pilot project was officially inaugurated at the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner's Conference Room at 11:00 am on Wednesday.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Md. Moniruzzaman Miah attended the ceremony as the chief guest along with Dhaka Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Farida Khanom.
Initially, 21 selected schools in Dhaka will implement the model through existing "Clean School Teams"—student bodies formed by the district administration on July 8 following nearly three months of field evaluation and research into international cleanliness practices tailored for Bangladesh.
Under the framework, schools will allocate 15 to 20 minutes daily within their academic schedules for cleaning routines. Students will be divided into small groups to clean classrooms, corridors, and libraries under teacher supervision, while institutional staff will manage heavy-duty tasks such as toilets, drains, and hazardous areas.
Addressing the launch, Divisional Commissioner Md. Moniruzzaman Miah stated that the O-Soji model serves as an effective mechanism to instill discipline, civic responsibility, and respect for manual labor among students, creating a healthier learning environment through the joint involvement of teachers, students, and parents.
Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom emphasized that cleanliness extends beyond physical maintenance, serving as a vital educational tool to cultivate environmental stewardship and personal accountability among future citizens.
The initiative incorporates a multi-pronged approach, including weekly dengue inspections to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites, waste segregation education, and home-based practice under the "My Home, My Responsibility" campaign. Students will receive weekly home checklists to be evaluated by teachers every Sunday.
To incentivize participation, the district administration plans to introduce a "Clean School Challenge," awarding certificates, books, educational materials, and saplings to top-performing schools, classrooms, and students based on waste management and dengue prevention criteria.
