The phrase “The best for the children” highlights a powerful truth—children are the future of a nation. Their education, health, attitudes, and experiences today will shape society, economy, and politics of tomorrow. Therefore, investing in children is essentially investing in the country’s future. Schools play a vital role in this process, as they are the hubs where wisdom, values, and character are formed.
However, the current education system faces challenges due to rigid syllabuses, exam-focused learning, and lack of attention to creativity and personal growth. Many children are also distanced from nature and are overly influenced by digital trends and social media, leading to diminished values and attitudes. Student resistance to efforts such as removing decals from buses under the Clean Sri Lanka program underscores the need for attitudinal change.
Integrated programs
The Clean Sri Lanka School Project aims to address these issues through a series of integrated programs to nurture environmentally sensitive, morally grounded, and skilled students. The project promotes:
Aesthetic and Artistic Development: With children moving away from art, music, and dance, the project aims to revive these interests through subject integration. The Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Cultural Affairs will support programs like literary circles and creative arts, fostering well-rounded, creative students.
Environmental Sensitivity: The initiative includes activities to promote respect for elders, public property, and nature. Students are encouraged to put environmental knowledge into practice through workshops, plays, and outdoor activities, supported by agencies such as the Central Environmental Authority and the Department of Agriculture.
Nutrition and Health: With rising concerns about fast food and poor eating habits, the program seeks to improve student nutrition through education and canteen reform. The Departments of Health and Ayurveda will lead awareness campaigns on healthy eating, promoting local food culture.
Physical Fitness: The project emphasizes daily exercise and outdoor programs. School gardens will be activated to teach children about agriculture, enabling them to continue these practices at home.
Entrepreneurial Skills: Schools will foster entrepreneurial thinking by forming business clubs and identifying students’ talents early. These skills will help children transition into successful, self-reliant adults.
These programs are not additional subjects but integrated into the existing curricula. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with provincial departments and other State institutions, is overseeing the implementation. The first phase targets 1,000 schools under the theme “Let’s Clean Our Schools – A Generation That Will Build the Nation.”
Tri-Forces support
In line with the program, the project to clean 1,000 schools and repair dilapidated school equipment/equipment was launched on February 20 under the theme “A Clean Educational Environment”.
The Army was tasked with launching projects in 500 schools; 100 flagship schools in the first phase and 400 schools in the second phase, and 14,822 Army personnel are involved in this project across the nation, including in two more schools that were included upon request.
The Navy continues to provide community support and social empowerment under the theme “A School Full of Happiness”, which fosters national values and fosters an environment-friendly educational environment that incorporates social values.
The Navy has so far completed work on 25 out of the 50 schools under the first phase, and has completed the work of seven schools out of the 210 schools under the second phase.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has taken over the responsibility of 50 schools out of 200 selected under the first phase and 205 schools out of 815 schools under the second phase.
Of the 50 schools selected under the first phase, the initial cleaning process has been completed in all schools. So far, work on 18 schools in the first phase has been completed. Similarly, out of 205 schools selected under the second phase, work on 24 schools has been completed.
Through this united effort, the Clean Sri Lanka School Project envisions nurturing a generation that is healthy, responsible, environmentally aware, and equipped to lead the country forward.
