Staff Reporter:
A three-day school campaign titled “Clean City, Healthy Life,” organised by Dhaka WASA under the Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project (DSIP), took place from 21 to 23 October at three primary schools in Dhaka.
The initiative aimed to educate students, teachers and parents about the essential role of Dhaka WASA in ensuring the city’s water supply, improving safe sewage management, and raising awareness about reducing water misuse.
The campaign was held at Udayan Higher Secondary School on the Dhaka University campus, City Corporation Adarsha High School in the Staff Quarter, Dhalpur, Jatrabari and Nilkhet Govt Primary School, targeting areas near the DSIP project’s trunk mains.
Supported by Red Orange Media and Communications, the event emphasised the importance of environmental stewardship and the DSIP project’s goal to transform Dhaka’s sanitation infrastructure. More than 500 students actively participated in engaging activities aimed at promoting awareness of water conservation and the proper management of sewage systems.
The campaign began with morning assemblies where school head teachers introduced Dhaka WASA personnel to students and staff.
The Chief Guest S M Anwar Satter, Deputy Project Director, DSIP, addressed the students, highlighting the corporation’s commitment to improving water and waste management systems in Dhaka.
He spoke of the upcoming excavation work on various roads, including near schools, for installing sewage pipelines, saying, “I apologise in advance for any temporary inconveniences. However, within a few years, you will witness the long-term benefits of this project.”
“After successful completion of DSIP, the quality of water in the city’s water bodies including Buriganga River will improve significantly”, he added.
The session was followed by awareness-building activities led by representatives from Red Orange Communications. Through interactive sessions, students were educated on the sanitation challenges Dhaka faces and how the DSIP will help tackle these issues.
Students in grades 3-5 were given educational materials, including colouring books to reinforce their learning through fun activities. Many of the children eagerly shared their newfound knowledge with their peers and promised to spread awareness at home.
As part of the campaign, Dhaka WASA presented detailed insights into the DSIP project to schoolteachers and management committees. Flyers and brochures were distributed, providing additional information about the long-term benefits the project would bring to the city’s sanitation system.
Representatives explained how the DSIP would revolutionise Dhaka’s sewage management, leading to a cleaner, healthier environment. Teachers and staff members expressed their appreciation for the initiative, recognising the project’s significance not only for the city’s infrastructure but also for raising the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
The “Clean City, Healthy Life” school campaign demonstrated the power of youth involvement in addressing environmental issues. Over three days, students, teachers, and community members engaged with the important topics of water conservation, waste management, and the role each individual can play in ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future for Dhaka.
Through initiatives like this, Dhaka WASA and the DSIP continue to foster a sense of collective responsibility for the environment, empowering the community to take action for a healthier Dhaka.
