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.
- 0/8 people
- About 12 hours
- 25
- points
About this task
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
0 of 4 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 12 hours across all steps
- 1
Written permission and the colours
Written permission from the head teacher and managing committee; agree together which walls, which colours, what to draw.
120 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Scrape and wash
Scrape off peeling paint and moss, wash with water and let dry; cover floors and windows.
240 minশিরিশ কাগজ ও স্ক্র্যাপার, পলিথিনের ঢাকনা
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Paint
Water-based paint, two coats; only adults up high, with someone holding the ladder.
300 minরং, ব্রাশ ও রোলার, মই
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 4
Clean up and hand over
Clear away paint tins, covers and rubbish; a handover note signed by the head teacher.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- 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.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳8,000–20,000
- People
- 8
- Time in all
- 12 hours
- Age
- 14 or older
Best timeThe dry season, November to March, when paint dries well. On school holidays.
PermissionWritten permission from the head teacher and managing committee, with which walls, which colours and what will be drawn in writing.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Water-based paintAs the walls need, about 20 litresWhere: Paint shop | As the walls need, about 20 litres | ৳250–500 |
| Brushes and rollers8 setsWhere: Paint or hardware shop | 8 sets | ৳200–400 |
| Sandpaper and scrapers8 setsWhere: Hardware shop | 8 sets | ৳80–150 |
| Plastic sheeting and masking tape1 setWhere: Hardware shop | 1 set | ৳300–600 |
| Drinking water and a light snack8 peopleWhere: Neighbourhood grocery | 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
Lead1
Liaises with the school, holds the permission, does the handover.
Scraping and painting team5
Low walls; only adults on the high parts.
Ladders and safety1
Hold each ladder at the foot; keep everyone away from wires and switches.
Photos and records1
Photos with consent, lists, receipts, handing in the proof.
Whom to speak to first
The head teacher and managing committee
- Why
- The school is theirs; so is the choice of colours and drawings.
- How
- Meet them with colour samples; get the decision in writing.
The art teacher
- Why
- If the alphabet or a map is drawn, the design is theirs.
- How
- Draw the design on paper first.
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.
How to take the proof
- Before and after photos of each wall from the same angle.
- A photo of the handover note signed by the head teacher.
- Paint receipts on one page.
Common first-time mistakes
- Painting a damp wall.
- Working without covering floors and windows.
- Leaving leftover paint and rubbish behind.
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.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
WhatsApp / Facebook invitation
Help give a school’s walls a new life! Where: [school name], [area] When: [date] and [date], from 8 am What: scraping and washing the walls, two coats of paint. Bring: old clothes, a cap. Age 14 and up; only adults on ladders. To join: send a join request on this task’s page on Desher Kaj, or tell [lead’s name] in this group.
Letter to the head teacher asking permission
Date: [date] To The Head Teacher [school name] Subject: Permission to clean and paint the school’s walls. Sir/Madam, On [date] and [date], school holidays, we wish to scrape and wash the school’s [which] walls and paint them in [colour] water-based paint. As you and the managing committee prefer, we will draw [the alphabet / a map / nothing]. No name, slogan or advert will be written. No money will be collected from anyone for this work; what is needed comes as gifts in kind or at the team’s own cost. We would be grateful for your permission. Yours faithfully [Name], team lead [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform Phone: [number]
After it is done
- Leave leftover paint with the school for touch-ups.
- After six months, post photos from the same spots.
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.