Karnataka Assembly Divided Over Students Cleaning Schools

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly became the center of a heated ideological debate as law makers sparred over whether school children should be permitted or encouraged to clean their own classrooms and campuses. While some members argued that manual labor builds character and hygiene consciousness, others warned that such practices risk violating child rights and exploiting vulnerable students in the absence of adequate support staff. The discussion was ignited by JD(S) floor leader C.B. Suresh Babu, who highlighted a critical shortage of ‘Group D’ workers (cleaners and sweepers) in government schools, pointing out that in many rural institutions, students are effectively acting as janitors. “Schools don’t have sweepers. Children are made to clean the school premises. Parents complain if children are made to do it. So, the government should hire Group ‘D’ workers. Otherwise, provide permission for children to do it themselves,” JD(S) floor leader CB Suresh Babu said.
This led to a challenge for the government to either fill these vacancies immediately or officially authorize student participation within a legal and structured framework.

The arguments in favor of student participation centered on tradition and the development of life skills. Senior leaders, including Speaker U.T. Khader and former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, threw their weight behind the idea of students maintaining their own schools, citing it as a standard part of discipline. They referenced Gandhian principles and global models like Japan and Finland, where students are responsible for the upkeep of their environment. Supporters argued that such tasks instill a sense of ownership and equality, suggesting that “skill development” should naturally include basic life tasks like maintenance and sanitation.

However, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa maintained a cautious stance, citing the “redline” of child rights. While acknowledging the severe lack of maintenance staff, he emphasized that the government cannot compel children to clean premises without violating the Juvenile Justice Act. The Minister’s caution is rooted in recent controversies where teachers faced FIRs after videos surfaced showing students cleaning toilets and sewage. He argued that while hygiene education is vital, any move to formalize student labor would require specific legislation to protect staff from being prosecuted for exploitation.

The debate concluded with a suggestion to potentially rebrand cleaning activities under the state’s “Skill Development” umbrella to give them academic legitimacy. For now, the status quo remains: the government has issued a stern warning that forcing students to perform heavy maintenance or clean toilets will result in immediate disciplinary action. The House remains divided on the ultimate solution whether to invest heavily in recruiting thousands of dedicated ‘Group D’ workers or to redefine Karnataka’s education policy to include campus maintenance as a mandatory, character-building responsibility for all students.