Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has said, the national awards for the cleanest schools will also be open to private schools across the country from next year. <br/><br/>The Swachchta Vidyalaya Puraskar was instituted this year by the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF to recognise, inspire and celebrate excellence in water, sanitation and hygiene practices in schools. Giving away the award in New Delhi, Mr Javadekar said, swachhta in schools plays a significant role in determining the health of children, attendance, dropout rate, and learning outcomes. <br/><br/>The Minister said, 35 States and Union territories participated in this award at district and state levels in an online mode. Out of 643 schools shortlisted by the states, 172 schools have been selected for the National awards for Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar 2016-17. He said, this year more than 2.5 lakh schools from both central and state governments participated voluntarily in the competition.<br/><br/>Mr Javadekar said, the students are cleanliness ambassadors and they will lead the vision of Clean India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has said, the national awards for the cleanest schools will also be open to private schools across the country from next year. <br/><br/>The Swachchta Vidyalaya Puraskar was instituted this year by the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF to recognise, inspire and celebrate excellence in water, sanitation and hygiene practices in schools. Giving away the award in New Delhi, Mr Javadekar said, swachhta in schools plays a significant role in determining the health of children, attendance, dropout rate, and learning outcomes. <br/><br/>The Minister said, 35 States and Union territories participated in this award at district and state levels in an online mode. Out of 643 schools shortlisted by the states, 172 schools have been selected for the National awards for Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar 2016-17. He said, this year more than 2.5 lakh schools from both central and state governments participated voluntarily in the competition.<br/><br/>Mr Javadekar said, the students are cleanliness ambassadors and they will lead the vision of Clean India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.