The Greater Chennai Corporation Council has approved the appointment of one sweeper for every 300 students and one scavenger for every 10 toilets in all Corporation schools across Zones 1 to 15.
This is to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in 417 Chennai Corporation schools, 92 government schools, one special school, and one aided school — totaling 511 schools citywide.
According to the new staffing norms, a total of 1,538 sanitation workers will be deployed to meet the requirements based on student strength and the number of toilets in each school. The council’s resolution follows the government order stipulating the ratio.
In co-educational schools, both male and female workers will be assigned for toilet cleaning. While girls’ schools will have a minimum of two female workers and one sweeper, boys’ schools will have at least two workers and one sweeper.
The new staffing arrangement will be implemented through the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), with a monthly wage of ₹753 per worker. The deployment will be managed by zonal offices, ensuring that each school receives the required number of sanitation staff according to its size and facilities.
Additionally, Mayor R. Priya announced at the council meeting that the Corporation will issue a circular to all Chennai schools mandating scheduled water breaks for students.
The council also approved the operational and maintenance costs for sanitation equipment, including the use of ride-on sweepers for school campuses.
For the North and Central regions, contracts were approved for the operation and comprehensive maintenance of 10 ride-on sweeper vehicles in each region for a period of two years, at a total cost of ₹2.48 crore per region. These vehicles will be used for cleaning school grounds and other Corporation premises, GCC stated.
Published – July 01, 2025 12:35 am IST