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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
The importance of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in a school environment for effective and efficient learning and teaching has been stressed in order to develop sound and healthy leaders of tomorrow.
The assertion was made by the President of Environmental Sanitation Club (ESC) of Ummul Qurra Science Academy, Hadiza Tijjani Ilyas Azare, while fielding questions from journalists as part of the activities to mark the 2023 World Toilet Day.
She also said that availability of WASH facilities in the school will promote healthy learning environment as pupils and students will feel free to concentrate on their studies knowing that any time nature calls, they have a conducive place to answer the call.
The ESC President said that, specifically, the girl child needs a safer environment to enable her relax to study lamenting that lack of WASH facilities in most Schools have retarded the education of the Girl-child.
She added that with availability of WASH facilities in the Schools, the students especially the Girls will feel free particularly during their monthly flow which normally keep them out of school for the period of time it comes.
Hadiza stressed that, “In our school, here we have 45 toilets demarcated for females and males, we have water flowing regularly and the toilets are well taken care of. We are very comfortable.”
She also said that, “We have a pad bank from where we get pad for any girl who starts flow during the school hours. It is given freely. We also have toiletries to be used by all of us to keep clean.”
Hadiza then commended United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for the training on WASH issues which led to the formation of the Environmental Sanitation Club (ESC) in the school calling however for more attention.
Also speaking, the President of ESC for the Male Students said that the activities of the Club has really impacted on them, the practice of clean environment.
He also said that he has imbibed the practice of sanitation even at home saying, “I always make sure that I talk to Almajiri boys in my area not to be passing feces anywhere. Open defecation is harmful to our health.”
He too said that the sensitization by UNICEF has really helped them as members of the ESC to practice WASH activities in the school and at home.
The ESC President called on UNICEF, RUWASSA and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that schools get support to promote WASH activities for a healthy environment for learning.
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