Chandigarh, Feb. 4 -- The municipal corporation (MC) on Tuesday launched the Swachh School Ranking Initiative. The city-wide programme, to be held from February 3 to 15, will aim at promoting cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene across government and private schools. The initiative was formally launched by city mayor Saurabh Joshi during the Swachh School Orientation Programme organised for school principals and representatives in preparation for the upcoming Swachh Survekshan, at Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Bhawan, Sector 38. Addressing the gathering, Joshi said that schools are the strongest foundation for building a clean and responsible society and clean habits start at school. Through the Swachh School Ranking Initiative, the MCC not just evaluating infrastructure, but shaping behaviour, responsibility and environmental consciousness among our children, he added. He urged all schools to actively participate and treat cleanliness as a continuous culture rather than a one-time activity. Prerna Puri, secretary education, emphasised the role of educational institutions in holistic development. She said the clean, safe and hygienic school environment is essential for effective learning. She appreciated the MC's efforts to guide schools on assessment parameters. MC commissioner Amit Kumar explained that the ranking system is aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 guidelines and focuses on sustainability. He said the assessment framework covers visible cleanliness, source segregation, waste management, toilets, IEC activities and aspirational indicators like environmental sustainability and plastic-free campuses....