Schools run by DSGMC to use social robot for better hygiene practices among students

Social robot 'Pepe' will nudge children studying in schools run by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Manment Committee to opt better hygiene practices.

'Pepe' developed by researchers from University of Glasgow in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University in India will be used in DSGMC schools to give a fresh approach to hygiene, said Manjinder Singh Sirsa, president of Committee.

"Pepe robots each costing around Rs 7000 will be mounted on  wall above handwashing stations near washrooms to inspire nearly 20,000 children studying in coeducation institutions to wash ir hands properly," he said.

 speaking robot will interact with children as y will pass by sink and encour m to practise proper handwashing, Sirsa said.

12 branches of Guru Harkishan Public School, run by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Manment Committee will install proper handwashing machines to promote hygiene practices among children, he said.

"DSGMC will install handwashing stations that are appropriate for school and place m in areas where y will best serve students."

School kids below 10 years from marginal sections of society who are most affected by poor sanitation and hygiene will be especially targeted under programme, Sirsa said.

"An exclusive mobile app will be developed for monitoring success of programme. School teachers will take photos of hygiene practices opted by children on campus and post it on  mobile application regularly," he said.

Under initiative, teachers will have to photos with various facilities inside schools, including hand-washing units, toilets and cleanliness of classrooms, playgrounds and campus to cultivate habit of handwashing and cleanliness among school students, Sirsa ded.