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Update to primary school cleaning standards
9th of April 2025 Article by John Griep
From the Netherlands, John Griep on updates to guidelines for cleaning of primary schools.
Vereniging Schoonmaak Research (VSR) has updated and refined the Indicative Measurement System for Primary Education (IMPO) to align with current practical cleaning requirements in schools. This revision ensures a more effective and representative approach to assessing cleaning quality in primary education facilities.
A representative sampling approach
To gain an accurate overall picture of a school’s cleaning quality, it is not necessary to inspect every room. Instead, a representative sample suffices, streamlining the process while maintaining reliability. This approach allows for a practical and time-efficient assessment without compromising quality insights.
Structured evaluation with a step-by-step plan
VSR has introduced a structured 10-step plan, accompanied by a newly developed control form, to facilitate objective and systematic cleaning inspections. The first nine steps provide a clear indicative assessment of the achieved cleaning result, while step 10 focuses on taking appropriate action based on the findings. If a school desires a different or higher level of cleanliness than observed, discussions can be initiated with the cleaning company to address expectations and improvements.
It is important to note that the IMPO assessment is strictly indicative—meaning no fines or penalties are associated with the results. Instead, the system serves as a valuable management tool to foster transparency and constructive dialogue between school administrations and cleaning companies.
Availability and implementation
The updated IMPO documents were distributed to all VSR members by post in early January. Additionally, a PDF version (Dutch) is available for download through the VSR Knowledge Bank.
VSR encourages schools and cleaning companies to use this enhanced IMPO framework as a tool for improvement. By strengthening communication between school management and cleaning teams, the initiative aims to contribute to a healthier and cleaner learning environment for students and staff alike.
For more information, visit the VSR Knowledge Bank and explore how the updated IMPO can benefit your institution.
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