Desher Kaj
Cleaning and painting a school’s walls
With the school’s written permission, on a holiday, a school’s walls scraped, washed and newly painted; if the teachers wish, the alphabet or a map, but never a slogan or an advert.
Area
Lakshmipur
People
8 people
Time
About 12 hours
Difficulty
Medium
About this task
In Lakshmipur, near the coast, damp monsoons bring moss to school walls and the paint flakes fast. With the written permission of the head teacher and managing committee, on a holiday, peeling paint and moss scraped off a school’s walls, washed and dried, then two coats of water-based paint. If the school wishes, the alphabet, numbers or a map, as the teachers choose. No slogan, party name, portrait or advert. Finally a clean-up and a handover signed by the head teacher.
Why it matters
Many schools’ walls have gone unpainted for years; moss and flaking plaster make them look dreary. A clean, bright school becomes a happy place for children, and when local people do it with their own hands they feel the school is theirs.
What changes after
The chosen walls clean and newly painted, in before and after photos; a handover signed by the head teacher; leftover paint left with the school.
Who can join
Anyone; only adults up high or on ladders. Best with someone experienced in painting or murals.
Step by step
- 1Done
Written permission and the colours120 min
Written permission from the head teacher and managing committee; agree together which walls, which colours, what to draw.
- 2Done
Scrape and wash240 min
Scrape off peeling paint and moss, wash with water and let dry; cover floors and windows.
- 3Done
Paint300 min
Water-based paint, two coats; only adults up high, with someone holding the ladder.
- 4Done
Clean up and hand over60 min
Clear away paint tins, covers and rubbish; a handover note signed by the head teacher.
Checklist to get ready
- Water-based paint · দেয়ালের মাপ অনুযায়ী
- Brushes and rollers · ৮ সেট
- Ladders · ২টি
When it counts as done
- Before and after photos of the same walls from the same angle
- A handover note signed by the head teacher
Proof required: Before photo, After photo, Document
⚠ Safety
Keep students away while scraping and painting; keep windows open. No paint near electric wires or switches. Never climb a ladder without someone holding it.
What it costs
| Water-based paint | As the walls need, about 20 litres | ৳250–500 |
| Brushes and rollers | 8 sets | ৳200–400 |
| Sandpaper and scrapers | 8 sets | ৳80–150 |
| Plastic sheeting and masking tape | 1 set | ৳300–600 |
| Drinking water and a light snack | 8 people | ৳60–100 |
| Total (about) | ৳8,000–20,000 | |
Getting ready, step by step
14 days before
Written permission; measure the walls and work out the paint.
7 days before
Buy or receive paint and tools in kind; keep receipts.
Borrow at least two ladders.
Day one
Before photos; scrape, wash, leave to dry.
Day two
Two coats of paint; clean up; after photos; handover.
Who does what
- Lead (1): Liaises with the school, holds the permission, does the handover. — ____________
- Scraping and painting team (5): Low walls; only adults on the high parts. — ____________
- Ladders and safety (1): Hold each ladder at the foot; keep everyone away from wires and switches. — ____________
- Photos and records (1): Photos with consent, lists, receipts, handing in the proof. — ____________
The day, hour by hour
- 08:00Gather, safety talk, cover floors and windows.
- 08:30Before photos; scrape off paint and moss.
- 11:00Wash with water and leave to dry.
- 14:00(Next day) first coat.
- 16:00Second coat, clean up, after photos, handover.
What can go wrong, and what to do
- A fall from a ladder → Someone always holds the ladder; no ladder on a wet floor; call 999 for an injury.
- Electric shock → No paint or water near wires and switches; if needed, ask the school to switch off the main.
- Someone wanting a slogan or name on the wall → Say no; only what the permission letter says.
Useful numbers
- 999National emergency: police, fire, ambulance (free)
- 1098Child helpline
Questions people ask
- Can we write our team’s or organisation’s name on the wall?
- No. No names, slogans or adverts on a school wall; your names are on the task page.
- Can students paint?
- On low walls, supervised by a teacher, in the drawing part after the base coat dries; never scraping or ladder work.
- Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
- Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.