Today I am writing out of my very limited exposure and experience, but I will ask you to take a cursory look at this issue around you. And it is the state of Sanitation and hygiene in our public primary and sometimes, secondary schools. The situation is nothing to write home about.
You may not understand this if you grew up in porch cities and didn't have the privilege of attending these public schools like me. Few of us only attended public secondary schools but weren't opportune to go full cycle in the public primary Schools.
Many of us who grew up in the 80s, 90s and even in the millennium had Public primary schools as our foundation. We enjoyed the Assemblies, the teachers, the grass cutting, the Agricultural period, Arts, the debating societies, cultural groups and so many others. One are you are likely to agree with me is that the Sanitation situation of these schools are not just poor, they are hygienically dangerous.
In the last fourteen years or thereabouts that I have been practicing as an Environmental Health Officer, school inspection is one are I have enjoyed carrying out. My job requires that we visit both primary and secondary schools, as well as public and private schools.
Many private schools may actually not be at par with the public ones in terms of buildings and staffing, however same cannot be said of Sanitation facilities in these schools. The Sanitation facilities include adequate toilet units for both sexes (staff and students), urinals, hand wash basins and adequate supply of potable water.
Truth be told, so many public schools lack these basic facilities. In place where there are toilets, they are either not in use, broken down and dilapidated or very poorly maintained due to lack of water. The case of African Primary school, Ita Iyalode, beside where my office is located, is a very graphic example.
As professionals who work directly with the Government, it is usually very difficult to get these Nuisances abated the same way it will be abated in private schools. Oftentimes, the Head Teacher will refuse to collect abatement notices, but will rather direct you to the Zonal Education Officer or Education Secretary as the case may be, who will then direct you to the Local Government chairman and you have the case closed.
When I go to Public schools and see the level of dilapidation in the sanitation facilities, it befuddles me why we have leaders who care less about the welfare of the masses they swear to protect.
Look around you and observe the state of Sanitation in our public schools and see how much we endanger the lives of our Future. Many of these children are forced to practice open defaecation in and around the school premises while the girl child may be exposed to sexual molestation coming from predators and paedophiles.
Apart from these obvious inimical tendencies, the health of these children are also at high risks. They are at risk of contracting deadly diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera, dysentery and gastroenteritis. Children being who they are may also get worms from these sources reducing their mental and academic capabilities.
For how long shall we go with these? Government and Parents must rise up to the situation to ensure we provide solution to this very disturbing trend. Standards set by the government which is always enforced in our private schools must also be maintained for the public schools.
These schools may be for the less privilegded but it should not be run as if these children do not deserve quality life. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is and should be a basic human right for our children in public schools. They should not be neglected because children of the high and mighty don't attend them.
Parents and well-meaning Nigerians also can also come to the aid of public schools where they find the Government handicapped or unwilling because it is the lives of the children, and by implication, the entire citizenry that is at stake.
Much appreciation must be given to NGOs such as UNICEF, WHO and other such Organisations that have been providing toilet facilities to some selected schools. The journey is still far and we have a long way to go as regards sanitation and hygiene. Together we can reduce the number of deaths of children resulting from poor Sanitation in our Public schools.
You sha know that I love you.
Your Ranting Brother,
Femi
Femi Abolade is a Licensed EHO, Writer, Author, Teacher and Public Speaker.
+234 807 427 5257
femibolade12@gmail.com
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