Kolkata students bring in classroom cleaning inspired by Japanese exchange programme

Inspired by Japanese students cleaning their school at the end of the day, students of Birla High School, who had visited the country recently on an exchange programme, have brought in the idea of cleaning up the classroom after school.

"VI to XII students now sweep away the trash, whether it's pieces of paper, toffee wrappers, or pencil shavings, and place them in the dustbin. They also set the desks and chairs in order before they leave. Now all students are required to clean the classroom for five minutes between 2 pm and 2.05 pm. When they leave, the classes are now spick and span," said Renuka Chatrani, who traveled to Japan with four school students.

Sushila Birla Girls' School, whose students also went on the exchange tour, launched the classroom clean-up programme last year when the management traveled to Japan to do a recce before the trips.

"We were impressed with Japan's dignity of work and students' pride in cleaning up the whole school. They dust and sweep the floor and even the toilets. They do spring cleaning after a long break. I saw even the Principal cleaning vessels along with us after attending an Udon noodles making workshop there," remembered Sushila Birla Girls' School tour coordinator Nabanita Sen.

The eight students — four from each school — toured three schools on the trip: Ogawa High School, Omiya Kita High School, and Matsuyama Boys High School. They were welcomed by families of Japanese students who toured Kolkata last July-Aug. The group toured Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Ogawa, and Odaiba on the trip from March 15 to 25.

"We studied Ikebana, the flower art of arranging flowers, and calligraphy in which we were taught how to write our names in Kanji script. We also studied about the tea ceremony of Japan. But what amazed us the most was people's politeness and all-around discipline. Everything was working clockwork fashion," said class X Birla High student Eashan Ajitsaria who went on the trip along with Raman Manohar Singh, Aarav Juthani, and Vashisth Kedia.

What also struck the students as funny was how people were addicted to their cellphones. "Such is the thing about Japan -- we hear this all the time that we use our cellphones too much. But that does not compare with the average Japanese we met. At least when we kids congregate, we talk and make fun of each other. Here, students will not talk to one another on the platform waiting for the train or while travelling, not due to not being on speaking terms but because all of them were stuck to their cellphones!" said class X Sushila Birla student Dishita Chatterjee, who made the trip along with Saisha Agarwal, Aadyashakti Dalmia, Harshila Nahar, and Nabanita Sen.

"Encounter programme is an excellent opportunity for the children to learn of the two nations, come to understand and appreciate the cultures of each other, and become lifelong friends. We would also like to extend this program to other schools in Kolkata," explained Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata, Ashida Katsunori, who enjoys conversing in Hindi.