Introduction

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), under the Ministry of Education, is driving transformative change through Special Campaign 5.0, running from October 2 to October 31, 2025. This nationwide initiative focuses on institutionalizing cleanliness (Swachhata), enhancing efficiency in government offices, and upgrading school environments to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable learning spaces.

Key Objectives of Special Campaign 5.0

The campaign emphasizes two core areas:

• Streamlining Governance: Reducing pendency in official tasks by digitizing records, eliminating obsolete files, and improving record management systems to boost efficiency.
• Enhancing School Environments: Creating vibrant, safe, and inclusive school campuses through infrastructure upgrades and community-driven initiatives.

Upgrading School Campuses for Better Learning

Under Special Campaign 5.0, schools across India are undergoing significant improvements to ensure conducive learning environments. Key activities include:

• Whitewashing and painting school buildings.
• Conducting minor repairs to electrical systems and ensuring functional toilets and drinking water facilities.
• Beautifying campuses with murals and wall art inspired by local art forms such as Madhubani and Warli, fostering cultural pride and creativity.

Promoting Environmental Responsibility

A cornerstone of the campaign is fostering environmental consciousness within the education ecosystem, aligning with Mission LiFE—a global initiative introduced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. One of the seven themes of Mission LiFE, Reducing E-Waste, is being prioritized through targeted efforts.

E-Waste Awareness Webinar

On October 9, 2025, DoSEL, in collaboration with UNICEF, hosted a webinar on E-Waste Awareness and Reduction, chaired by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL. The event, attended by over 1.5 lakh participants, highlighted the importance of responsible e-waste management. Key insights included:

• Dr. Amarpreet Duggal, Joint Secretary, DoSEL, shared practical steps such as using cloud storage instead of USB drives, maximizing device lifecycles, and encouraging students to lead e-waste recycling initiatives.
• The webinar inspired schools to adopt sustainable practices and engage students and teachers in environmental stewardship.

Nationwide E-Waste Management Drives

Following the webinar, e-waste awareness and management drives are being conducted in over 1,000 schools across Assam, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh, starting October 10, 2025. These initiatives, guided by the E-Waste Management Guidelines from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, are supported by Eco Clubs under Mission LiFE.

Community Engagement for Sustainable Impact

To amplify the campaign’s reach, schools are leveraging:

• Alumni networks for support and mentorship.
• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and School Management Committees (SMCs) for local governance and resources.
• The Vidyanjali platform (https://vidyanjali.education.gov.in/) to foster community participation (Jan Bhagidari) and instill pride in schools.

Conclusion

Through Special Campaign 5.0, the Ministry of Education is reinforcing its commitment to creating clean, efficient, and environmentally responsible educational institutions. By combining governance reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and sustainability initiatives, the campaign is laying the foundation for a brighter, greener future for India’s schools.