In a recent notification, the Ministry of HRD (Human Resource Development) has decided to give ‘Swacchata Ranking’ to higher education institutes. Based on the overall cleanliness of a higher education institute, the rankings will be made.
Ministry of HRD has mentioned that the interested colleges/institutes/universities can apply online through the AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education) website from July 20. The last date to apply for the ranking is July 31.
However, on calling AISHE, they informed PaGaLGuY that they have no information on how the ranking will work. Assistant Director of AISHE Saumya Sakshi while speaking to PaGaLGuY mentioned that at this point they are only dealing with the application process. “We are concerned with the application process only and will provide the details of the applications to the concerned HRD office after July 31,” said Sakshi.
However, Avinash Supe, Dean of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai informed that he has not heard of such a ranking as yet. “My office will have a look at it,” said Supe while asked about if they are planning to take part in the ranking. he further informed that no circular has been sent to his college as yet.
It will be interesting to see how the ministry plans on taking it to the colleges and higher education institutes in the tier II and tier III cities and make them participate in the ranking. The competition will judge the institutes based on their basic on-campus hygiene, toilets in hostels, academic buildings, running water facilities, disposal or garbage system, and hostel kitchen hygiene, among others. 85% weightage will be given to the facilities and cleanliness inside the campus and 15% will be provided for the activities outside the campus, like an adoption of a village or achievements in spreading hygiene in their immediate surrounding.
According to the notification, inspection of the institutes who have applied for the ranking will be done by a team sent by the Ministry of HRD during the month of August. The results of the same will be declared in September this year.