Viral video of students sweeping school in Odisha’s Balasore sparks protests; teachers take over cleaning duties

A recent video showing students sweeping classrooms at Kansh Primary School in Nilgiri block of Balasore district has sparked widespread discussion and resentment among parents, educators, and local authorities.

The footage, which went viral on social media, drew immediate protests from guardians who argued that children should not be involved in school maintenance. Further, the situation saw teachers taking over cleaning duties from their pupils, all due to the absence of a peon or sweeper.

Viral Video Prompts Parental Outrage

According to sources, videos filmed inside the school premises showed young students holding brooms and cleaning under the supervision of teachers. Some parents shared clips online, sparking debate over whether such activities are appropriate for children.

Headmistress Padmabati Sethi described the situation, saying, “Some parents filmed their kids sweeping the campus and shared it on social media platforms. It triggered outrage. We did not even ask the children. They themselves picked up the broom to assist their teachers. However, parents resented this. Ever since, only teachers sweep the school.”

The response from parents, however, shifted the responsibility entirely onto the teachers.

Teachers Shoulder Entire Cleaning Responsibility

With parental objections, the burden of cleaning has fallen entirely on the teaching staff. Assistant teacher Madhusmita Biswal explained the strain, stating that they are compelled to sweep the premises instead of teaching, as the government has not yet allotted a sweeper to the school.

“The parents and guardians protested against students helping in cleaning the campus. They said that they never ask their wards to do even simple chores at home, so why would they sweep the school? We ultimately have to sweep the premises. I would request the government, through OTV, to provide a peon to this school. I would be grateful for that,” she said.

Basant Mahalik, a former student, highlighted the operational dilemma. He said that since this school does not have a peon, the teachers have to spend their time sweeping the campus. He questioned, if this continued, then how would they manage teaching their students?

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Government Response and Inquiry Initiated

Meanwhile, authorities have clarified that students may assist with campus cleaning under teacher supervision, but this should not interfere with their studies. Mihir Kumar Das, Administrative Block Officer (ABO), Nilgiri, confirmed that an inquiry has been scheduled.

“There is no hard-and-fast rule that students should not assist their teachers in cleaning the school premises. As of this matter, we have scheduled an inquiry. In the coming days, a team will visit the school and assess the situation. In a holistic environment, students can help in maintaining their campus under the supervision of their teachers.”