SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES ORGANISES A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR CLEANERS

The School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), on Friday, October 22, 2021, organised a one-day training programme for cleaners in the School. The training was on the theme: ‘Training in Basic Cleaning for Cleaning Staff’. The programme, which was organised under the auspices of the Office of the Dean, was attended by cleaners from all Departments under the School and some supervisors. The training was carried out by Dane Solutions.

In her opening remarks, the School Administrator, Ms. Mawuena Abortta, said the purpose of the training was to enhance the existing knowledge of cleaning staff, provide them with new skills and techniques to effectively undertake their duties, and to reinforce the need to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

Ms. Mawuena Abortta, School Administrator (SPMS)

The training was made up of a presentation segment and a practical session. Topics treated included introduction to cleaning; customer service; effective use of cleaning agents; basic safety; and office, laboratory and washroom cleaning procedures. Giving her presentation, the Lead Facilitator of Dane Solutions, Mrs. Diana Tanihu, said cleaning is an art and science and both aspects must be appreciated to the fullest. She explained that cleaning involved orderly movement, the use of the senses (touch, sight, smell), and creativity. According to her, cleaning has transformed from the stage where it was measured only on the cleanliness of a surface, to a stage that ensures individuals do not pick up diseases from cleaned surfaces.

Mrs. Diana Tanihu, Lead Facilitator (Dane Solutions)

During the interaction session, participants asked questions and shared ideas on how to improve upon their skills. Speaking about their challenges, some participants mentioned the absence of bathrooms and changing rooms for cleaners, lack of understanding between cleaners and supervisors on essential materials for cleaning, inadequate basic equipment, and the large volume of work due to inadequate number of cleaning staff.

John Afedi, Headman (Department of Chemistry)

In her closing remarks, the School Administrator acknowledged the fact that some Departments did not have the full complement of cleaning staff, and said the recruitment of additional cleaning staff was under discussion. She asked cleaners to be dedicated to work, stating that they play a key role in ensuring that the University attains its vision of becoming a world-class research-intensive University. According to her, quality teaching and learning, as well as cutting-edge research can only take place in a clean environment, and that is why the role of cleaners cannot be overemphasised.