At the core of Japan’s educational institutions lies a lesson that surpasses traditional pedagogy. It’s not found within textbooks or lectures; rather, it flourishes within the daily rhythms of classrooms. This lesson revolves around cleanliness, responsibility, and community—a trifecta that shapes the future citizens of Japan.
In Japanese schools, the practice of ‘osoji’, or cleaning time, is a daily ritual where students take charge of maintaining their learning environment. Far from being a mundane chore, it’s an educational philosophy that instills values of respect, teamwork, and pride in one’s surroundings. From the moment they step into school, students learn the importance of a clean space. They leave their shoes at the door which symbolizes the separation of the outside world from the sanctity of the classroom, reinforcing the mental discipline necessary for focus and learning. This practice teaches students independence and collective responsibility for shared spaces, offering a non-verbal curriculum that imparts life skills as crucial as academic knowledge.
But why does this matter? Because these students are not just Japan’s future but the world’s. The discipline they learn in school translates into adulthood, evident in the actions of Japanese fans who clean stadiums after international events like the World Cup. This culture of cleanliness and respect underscores the power of education beyond the classroom, emphasizing the global impact of the lessons we teach our children, fostering a society that values communal well-being alongside personal achievement.
In stark contrast, the cultural narrative surrounding cleanliness in this part of the world tells a different story. Here, students participating in school upkeep often view it as demeaning and not as an educational opportunity. The pride and sense of accomplishment found in ‘osoji’ are replaced by societal beliefs relegating cleaning to female folk within their homes. Here, cultural norms dictate who should wield the mop and who should not. This contrast reflects broader issues of how cleanliness is perceived and valued. While Japan embraces it as a core component of real-life education and collective responsibility, here, it’s often stigmatized, reinforcing gender roles and societal divides.
Public facilities, including hospitals, schools, and nearly every government office, are engulfed in neglect, evident in the abysmal condition of washrooms. Despite everyone acknowledging the problem, genuine action is a rare sight. The condition of the hospital washrooms is deplorable, reflecting a significant lack of maintenance and care. The tiles are cracked and stained, with muck accumulating in corners that haven’t seen a scrub in what feels like ages. The sinks are rusty, taps drip incessantly, and the smell of fungus hangs heavy in the air. The unsuitable conditions in hospital toilet facilities only serve to worsen the suffering of patients, a cruel irony in places meant to offer healing and solace. To add insult to injury, attendants smoking inside the toilets not only flout basic hygiene norms but also pose serious risks to patient recovery, undermining the very essence of healthcare itself. In the worst-case scenarios, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) can prolong patients’ hospital stays. People even throw leftover food inside the washrooms, thereby posing a potential risk for ailing patients who, by all means, have to use these facilities. It’s a sorry state of affairs that speaks volumes about the priorities – or lack thereof – when it comes to maintaining basic standards of cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces. This isn’t just about maintaining facilities; it’s basically about cultivating a mindset, valuing cleanliness as fundamental to public health and civic responsibility. It’s about transforming spaces into environments promoting well-being and dignity for all.
Where does the problem truly lie, and what demands our immediate attention? Education, as always, is a powerful catalyst for behavioral change. As John Dewey aptly stated, “school is a miniature society where a child gets real life experiences, which inculcates social qualities and social attitudes.” It is within these educational institutions, serving as nurseries of hope, where we can mirror the Japanese “osoji” model and instill these values in our children during their formative years of life. By leveraging from this model, we will empower the next generation to take pride in all aspects of life, ensuring a cleaner, more respectful, and cohesive world for everyone. Students can actively participate in maintaining cleanliness within their schools, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their environment. In this endeavor, teachers should lead from the front, setting an example of proactive involvement in maintaining cleanliness in and around the school.
Coming back to Japan, we find a model of societal harmony rooted in shared responsibilities and mutual respect – a model of “Safaee Suthraee” from which we can learn. Cleanliness shouldn’t just be a practice but a principle defining us. When tourists visit, they should encounter a place as beautiful as they have imagined, not one marred by litter and pollution. Adopting a collective mindset, we must teach our children the value of cleanliness and environmental stewardship. Our actions resonate globally; tourists witnessing our commitment to cleanliness carry that message home. Just as Japanese fans clean World Cup stadiums, we too can be ambassadors of cleanliness and respect.
A.R Bhat
Teacher at GMS Laribal Budgam
