A clean school isn't just about tidy classrooms. It's about fewer germs, better attendance, and students who are switched on and ready to learn.
But there's a bigger lesson hiding in the mop bucket.
When kids help keep their school clean, they pick up habits in responsibility, sustainability and respect that stick long after the bell rings.
Prabin Shrestha, Group CEO of national cleaning and facilities services company SKG Services, has watched this play out firsthand for the better part of 30 years.
Learning leadership from the ground up
From humble beginnings as a frontline cleaner to his current position in the C-suite, Shrestha says the journey has shaped how he thinks about the real-world impact clean, well-maintained spaces have on the people who use them every day.
"Starting as a part-time cleaner more than 30 years ago gave me a perspective that can’t be taught - it has to be lived," Shrestha told The Educator.
"I understood from the beginning that cleaning is not simply about making a space look presentable. It directly affects the people who use that environment every day – and in a school, that means creating spaces where students and teachers can feel comfortable, safe and supported to learn."
Shrestha says his work on the frontline has also helped him understand the practical realities of delivering those standards.
"It has shaped the way I lead today: decisions need to be both strategically sound and realistic for the people delivering them."
The hygiene-attendance link
Shrestha said there is a growing understanding that cleanliness and learning environments are closely connected, particularly when it comes to hygiene, illness and attendance.
"Poor hygiene can contribute to the spread of germs and increase illness-related absences, while clean, well-maintained environments can support student wellbeing and engagement," he said, adding that it's important for school leaders to remember that there is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
"Every school is different - from class sizes and layouts to ventilation, air-conditioning and the number of high-touch surfaces. The key is to look beyond simply meeting minimum requirements and understand what each individual school needs to maintain a consistently healthy environment."
One of the clearest changes Shrestha said he has seen is the greater awareness of hygiene across schools, particularly since COVID.
"Teachers and staff are much more conscious of high-touch areas such as door handles, taps, shared devices and classroom equipment, and we’ve seen a significant increase in the use of sanitiser and wipes," he said.
"Cleaners are not present in classrooms throughout the school day, so that ongoing awareness from teachers and staff is important. When everyone takes responsibility for maintaining hygiene between scheduled cleans, it can help reduce the spread of illness and, ultimately, the frequency of students becoming sick and missing school."
Small habits, big impact
Beyond hygiene, Shrestha pointed to other initiatives that can be used to build a genuine sense of responsibility in students.
"Programs such as recycling and waste sorting can help students understand that their actions have an impact on the environment they share with others," he said. "When students understand the end-to-end impact of their actions, rather than simply being told what to do, they are more likely to take ownership."
Shrestha said simple things like clear recycling signage, labelled bins and visual reminders throughout a school can really reinforce the importance of recycling and help turn it into an everyday habit.
"Schools are learning environments, so these initiatives are also an opportunity to build a broader sense of responsibility, respect and consideration for the environment and the people around them."
Cleanliness is a team effort
Shrestha said a clean school cannot be the responsibility of cleaners alone because cleaners simply aren’t present throughout the entire school day.
"Of course they play a critical role, but maintaining good hygiene also requires teachers, non-teaching staff and, to a big extent, students to take responsibility for the environment around them," he said.
"In practice, that means building a culture where people understand the importance of basic hygiene and ongoing maintenance - whether that is cleaning up after themselves, being mindful of shared surfaces or using sanitiser when appropriate. It’s not just about compliance – it’s also about creating a shared understanding that everyone has a role in maintaining a healthy learning environment."