How To Improve Hygiene In Education Institutions

Teaching students to understand the importance of hygiene is an essential part of their education. With their less developed immune systems, infections are more easily caught. School life can be frequently disrupted by the spread of communicable diseases such as Influenza, Norovirus and Escherichia coli (E. Coli). Hand hygiene really helps reduce the spread of germs.

Research shows that improper hand washing can cost the education system millions in sick days, for students and staff. So, hand washing is the most important thing you can do to keep them from getting sick.

Washrooms

Improving the school washrooms condition and providing adequate facilities supports can increase hand washing rates and more positive attitudes in students.

The simple act of washing hands can reduce the risk of stomach bugs by as much as 47%.

• Some risk hotspots within the washroom include toilets, flush handles, cubicle handles and areas around the sink
• Auto range encourage hand washing among the students thus minimise cross-contamination
• Keep your washroom facilities clean and adequately stocked, so they're available for washing, drying,  sanitising of hands and sanitary waste disposal at all times
• Provide hand washing demonstrations to students and equip washrooms with education signage prompts to promote good hygiene

Corridors

Clean, well maintained reception and entrance areas can create a positive first impression for students, parents and visitors.

• Students and visitors can bring in contamination on their shoes, having disinfectant mat will help reduce this and pairing it with dust control mat to help absorb dirt and water so these do not get through into your facility

• Ensure a regular sanitation routine with a focus on high-use areas such as door handles, surfaces and even signing-in pens

Canteens

Food hygiene and safety are critical in ensuring students’ well-being and maintaining educational standards - keeping both staff and students safe from food-borne illnesses.

• Train food preparation staff on correct hand washing procedures and glove usage policies to minimise the spread of germs from hands to food and surfaces

• Ensure adequate hand washing facilities are provided and well stocked including hand soap, paper towels, sanitiser and waste bins

• Clean food preparation areas and disinfect work surfaces regularly to reduce the risk of cross-contamination

Classrooms

An unclean classroom creates a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, affecting both students and staff.

• Incorporating hygiene education in the curriculum can boost hygiene standards
• Door handles and common surfaces are often overlooked when cleaning. Ensure a good cleaning program and provide access to hand sanitizers to minimise the risk of cross-contamination
• Install air fresheners or air sanitiser to maintain a hygienic and fresh environment in classroom to improve student’s concentration level

Computer rooms

A study by Initial Washroom Hygiene found that the average computer mouse was home to more than three times the levels of bacteria-related contamination compared to the average toilet seat.

• Computer keyboards house thousands of microbes per square inch. Initial Hygiene Malaysia provides workstation sanitation service to sanitise computer desk areas which provides up to 30days protection
• Install hand sanitisers will help minimise the risk of cross-contamination amongst hostel amenity users