The state govt had bought the liquid hand-wash in bulk under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Mumbai : The first lesson on hand hygiene in a government school in the western suburbs of Mumbai turned into a bizarre incident on Friday after scores of students suffered from rashes and itching after they washed their hands with a locally-made liquid hand-wash provided through the state government scheme.
The government had ordered all schools to stop the use of the liquid-hand-wash to avoid further harm to students. Opposition parties have demanded an inquiry into the purchase of the desi hand-wash that caused the students to suffer.
The students of Dr Hansraj Morarji Public School in Andheri were excited during their first class on hand hygiene. Teachers explained to students the importance of washing their hands and told them about the proper techniques of doing the same. After the class, the students went for a trial of washing their hands before lunch.
One of the teachers who wished not to be named said, “After washing their hands with the liquid, the students went for lunch. Meanwhile, one student complained of itching. We thought he might have an individual problem. After a few minutes, several students, one by one, complained of itching.”
She added, “We raised an alarm and informed the higher authorities. Meanwhile, we also asked students not to use the liquid hand-wash provided by the state government.”
According to officials, the state government has been providing the hand-wash under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to government schools across the state.
Schools are provided with hand-wash made by the brand ‘Pinki’ and manufactured by Maharashtra State Khadi & Village Industries Board. The education directorate, primary education department, had purchased the hand-wash in bulk.
Legislator Kapil Patil said, “It is a very shocking incident. It is a crime on the part of the education department to provide a low-quality and hazardous liquid hand-wash, which caused itching and rashes on the hands of students. We have asked for an inquiry into the purchase of it.”
