Lack of toilets adds to the Covid risk for the children in Karnataka Government schools

Another health risk erupts with lack of adequate public toilets for the students in Karnataka’s government school amid the already existing challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The data compiled by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) clarifies the requirement of 13,345 separate toilet facilities for boys and girls at the hundreds of government schools based in 24 districts of the state. It iterates that some of the schools donot have proper common toilet facilities.

Off lately,DPI issued the orders to department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDPR) and construction of toilets for schools which will come under Parihara scheme and also cater to drinking water amenities.

According to the data collected by DH, the first district on the rank devoid of toilets is Davanagere, so, from the 1,784 toilets missing, 923 are for boys and a count of 861 for girls. Following Davanagere is Tumakuru having a shortage of 1,762 toilets, from which, 853 for boys and 969 for girls.

During the permit sanction for resuming the offline classes for class 10 and 12 students, the conditions presented by the State Technical Advisory Committee for Covid-19 are providing toilet and drinking water facility.

Regarding the ranking for drinking water facility, Hassan takes the lead with 1,517 schools in requirement of it, after which comes Mandya with 882 schools and Kolar with 774 schools.

A review was conducted by Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar and adviser to the government Prof M R Doreswamy. The teachers revealed that the toilets were in a better condition prior to lockdown. A headmaster from a government school in North Bengaluru said, “The doors and taps of the toilet were missing when we reopened the school, due to the handiwork of miscreants.”

Another headmaster said, “We even need additional toilets in proportion to the number of students and we have communicated the same to the department.”

Prof M R Doreswamy said, “Toilets and safe drinking water facilities at schools are essential and should be provided immediately. The situation is sensitive as children are attending schools during the pandemic and the departments concerned must ensure health and hygiene there. We are coordinating with the department of public instruction and RDPR department to address the issue.”

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