China to Offer Undergraduate Degree in Housekeeping

There has long been a goal in the cleaning industry to elevate the role of cleaning professionals in society. The current coronavirus pandemic has helped in that respect by focusing on the importance of cleaning in preventing the spread of infectious pathogens. Another step that may help is recognizing cleaners as highly educated professionals.

Shanghai Open University in Shanghai China announced plans to offer an undergraduate degree in housekeeping, CX Tech reports. The university already offers a vocational program in housekeeping which teaches practical skills such as cleaning and cooking, as well as theoretical knowledge of sociology and psychology. The undergraduate program will begin spring 2021, pending government approval.

Housekeeping is becoming a lucrative business in China, with an annual expansion rate of 20%, Sixth Tone reports. In 2019 housekeepers in major cities reported average monthly salaries of up to US$1,285, which is comparable or better than the salaries of many city dwellers. However, social stigma surrounding the job, which is often associated with illiteracy, deters many people from pursuing it.