Only 28% feel confident about the levels of cleanliness and hygiene in educational locations - survey

 The implementation of the second Coronavirus lockdown in England has renewed the focus on health and hygiene in education establishments. Schools, colleges and universities remain open under the latest rules and need to be prepared as concern heightens for the safety of students and staff. A survey about how Covid-19 has affected perceptions of cleanliness and hygiene in the education sector, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional™ during the first lockdown, revealed that only 31% were comfortable about sending children back to school and 86% would avoid an education facility if they didn’t think it was Covid-secure1.

The survey also found that only 28% of respondents felt confident about the levels of cleanliness and hygiene in educational locations – such as hand washing, wiping and sanitising. In addition, an overwhelming majority – 82% – believe toilet facilities are the most important area requiring improvements in hygiene1. The education sector faces its own unique set of challenges in maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene and cleanliness, which now more than ever is strongly focused on hand hygiene,” says Olena Neznal, Vice President, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ software engineering vs computer science. “Fear and uncertainty has put education establishments under pressure yet again to balance the responsibilities of keeping staff and students safe and staying up to date with hygiene protocols, whilst maintaining teaching standards.”

As the leaders in workplace hygiene, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ is keen to fully uncover the concerns and issues around standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the education sector.

According to the research, more than two-thirds (69%) perceived going to a school or nursery as high to moderate risk, while 72% perceived going to a college/university as high to moderate risk. Other key findings showed a significant number of respondents believed modern technology could play an important part in improving education sector washrooms. The most desired addition would be touchless taps according to 61% of respondents, while 54% would most like to see the introduction of touchless automatic doors1. Good hand hygiene practices remain crucial as the primary way of reducing the spread of germs and viruses. Teaching the correct method of hand washing and drying in nurseries and schools is crucial to reducing the spread of germ transmission and an invaluable habit for children to learn for the rest of their life,” says Neznal.