Hygiene education and its promotion within educational institutions have gained significant importance in recent years, especially as global health concerns continue to rise. From nurseries to universities, these spaces are frequented by students, staff, and faculty who interact and share resources daily. As such, maintaining cleanliness is not just a matter of health and safety but a foundation upon which the well-being and productivity of the institution rests.

In this feature, we dive deep into the thoughts of two experts in the field: Cameron Mehrabanpour, Head of Estates and Facilities at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and Arjun Mohan, Chief Executive Officer at Vanguard Facility Management. Both share valuable insights into the critical role hygiene plays in educational institutions and the importance of education and sustainability in facility management.

Upholding Hygiene Standards: A Shared Responsibility

Cameron Mehrabanpour emphasizes the significance of creating a safe learning environment, especially as students return for the academic year. "Ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment requires not only rigorous cleaning protocols but also proactive hygiene education for students and staff," he says. Hygiene in educational institutions is not just about the physical cleanliness of spaces; it is about instilling a culture of health responsibility.

Educational institutions like schools, universities, and nurseries are communal spaces where people from different backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures interact. Areas such as classrooms, libraries, labs, cafeterias, and restrooms become shared spaces that can easily harbor germs and bacteria. A lack of proper hygiene can lead to widespread outbreaks, disrupting academic performance and potentially affecting long-term health.

Mehrabanpour stresses that one of the keys to mitigating these risks is integrating hygiene into the institution's culture. Facilities management (FM) teams are not only responsible for cleaning and upkeep but must also take a proactive role in promoting hygiene education. Through collaboration with health and safety officers, educators, and medical professionals, FM teams can develop comprehensive hygiene campaigns that reinforce cleanliness practices among students and staff.

Arjun Mohan agrees that educational institutions pose a unique challenge when it comes to hygiene due to the nature of student behavior, particularly in younger children. “Children have an innate craving for exploring their surroundings,” Mohan notes, adding that their tactile curiosity leads them to touch, feel, and explore without the same concerns that adults have about cleanliness and hygiene. This makes it all the more critical for educational institutions to prioritize proper sanitization practices, especially in spaces occupied by younger students.

The Role of Facilities Management in Promoting Hygiene

Facilities management is often seen as the backbone of institutional hygiene. As Mehrabanpour points out, FM teams do more than maintain the physical environment; they also uphold the institution's hygiene standards. From cleaning classrooms and common areas to overseeing waste disposal and water quality, FM teams are pivotal in preventing the spread of germs.

With the increasing integration of technology in facility management, FM teams can enhance their efforts by using digital monitoring tools to optimize cleaning schedules and resource allocation. For example, installing occupancy sensors in high-traffic areas can trigger automated cleaning after a certain threshold of use. Similarly, touchless fixtures like faucets and soap dispensers can encourage personal hygiene while minimizing contamination in shared spaces.

The Heriot-Watt University Dubai campus, which was designed and built to LEED Gold standards, offers a glimpse into how FM can incorporate sustainability into hygiene management. By adhering to WELL Certification prerequisites, such as maintaining indoor air and water quality, the campus serves as a model for how educational institutions can create healthy environments for their occupants.

Arjun Mohan expands on the role of facilities management by highlighting the importance of choosing environmentally friendly cleaning agents. In educational settings, the chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection must be selected carefully to protect students, especially younger children. He explains, “To a child, something in a bottle that looks like orange juice and smells like orange juice is easily perceived as orange juice.” It is imperative, Mohan argues, to avoid using harsh or toxic chemicals, such as paint thinners, in these environments. Instead, he advocates for a shift toward environmentally friendly cleaning agents that pose less risk to students.

Mohan also suggests that FM teams have a responsibility to educate educational institutions about the dangers of using cheaper, more abrasive chemicals. While cost-cutting measures may seem appealing, the health risks associated with these chemicals far outweigh the savings.

Hygiene Education: Building Lifelong Habits

Hygiene education does not just protect students and staff in the short term; it also fosters long-term habits that benefit society as a whole. Mehrabanpour believes that promoting hygiene education helps students understand how their personal practices—such as handwashing, waste disposal, and cleanliness—impact their own health and that of others.

This educational aspect is crucial in creating a culture where hygiene becomes second nature. By incorporating hygiene education into the curriculum and creating consistent messaging around cleanliness, educational institutions can instill lifelong values in their students. FM teams can support these efforts by organizing awareness campaigns, distributing educational materials, and hosting events focused on hygiene practices.

Arjun Mohan shares a similar sentiment, noting that schools are prime environments to teach children the importance of sustainability and environmental friendliness. Lessons about recycling, hand hygiene, and responsible use of resources should be instilled in young minds early on. “A young mind is the apt one where lessons in sustainability and environmental friendliness can be sowed,” Mohan says, emphasizing the role of educational institutions in shaping environmentally conscious individuals.

For Mohan, hygiene education should be interactive and engaging. He suggests using infographics, storyboards, workshops, and explainer videos to communicate important hygiene practices to students. Visual aids like these are more effective in capturing the attention of young learners than traditional methods, making hygiene education both fun and informative.

Technology and Hygiene: A New Frontier

Both Mehrabanpour and Mohan agree that technology plays a critical role in promoting hygiene in educational institutions. Digital tools and automated systems can optimize cleaning protocols, monitor air and water quality, and enhance overall safety.

Mehrabanpour points to innovations like touchless faucets and automatic hand sanitizer stations as key developments in promoting hygiene through facility design. These features not only reduce the risk of contamination but also serve as subtle reminders to students and staff to prioritize personal hygiene.

Mohan highlights the importance of ensuring that all technology and cleaning agents used in schools are safe for students. He encourages FM teams to educate schools about the long-term benefits of investing in environmentally friendly cleaning products and technologies, even if the initial costs are higher.

Building a Culture of Hygiene: The Way Forward

Ultimately, creating a culture of hygiene in educational institutions requires a collaborative effort. Facilities management, health and safety officers, educators, and students must all work together to maintain cleanliness and promote responsible hygiene practices. Cameron Mehrabanpour stresses that hygiene education is most effective when it becomes ingrained in the institution’s culture. By leading awareness campaigns and reinforcing the importance of hygiene, FM teams can help create an environment where students and staff take personal responsibility for their actions.

Similarly, Arjun Mohan emphasizes that hygiene education should be a part of the school’s social responsibility efforts. By partnering with educational institutions to run hygiene campaigns, facilities management entities can help shape the minds of future generations, creating hygiene champions for a healthier society.

In conclusion, hygiene education and promotion in educational institutions are essential for safeguarding the health and well-being of students, staff, and the broader community. By integrating hygiene into both the curriculum and the physical design of facilities, institutions can create environments that prioritize cleanliness, sustainability, and responsibility—ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and habits needed to thrive in a healthy world.