New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated all its affiliated schools to become ‘water-efficient’ in the next three years to tackle the acute water crisis in the states.
The board has issued a set of guidelines, asking the schools to replace old fixtures and appliances with water-efficient models. It has mandated the schools to install automatic taps with sensors and double flush tanks. Besides, it has asked the school management to conduct regular check-ups for leakages and initiate prompt action, news agency PTI said in a report.
“Becoming a water efficient school is hardly a choice anymore. Therefore, it will now be mandatory for all affiliated schools to achieve the goal of becoming a water efficient school within the next three years. The hallmark of a water-efficient school would not only be reflected in infrastructure but also majorly in the manner of use of water by school stakeholders and their sensitivity towards water conservation,” a senior CBSE official told PTI.
Schools consume huge amount of water every day for drinking purpose, in rest rooms, canteens, labs, in playing fields and for gardening purposes. Hence the campuses have to take the responsibility of water conservation for the greater benefit of all, the official added.
A NITI Aayog report released recently has identified 21 cities who would run out of ground water by 2020. The CBSE guidelines are, thus, an attempt to keep the schools alert about the crisis at hand, the guidelines said.
Schools have also been asked to constitute ‘school water management committee’ that may include teachers, students, non-teaching staff, parents and even members from the community.