Poor water access in schools increases open defecation

WASH field report

By Babatope Babalobi and Racheal Ogundipe

A team from Bread of Life Development Foundation visited the St James Primary School II, Ota Ogun State, on March 14, 2023, to observe the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. We had an introductory meeting with the School’s Headmistress, Mrs S.A Akinlowo, who briefed us on the WASH status in the school. The team also observed the water sanitation facilities in the school environment.

This visit was part of School Led Total Sanitation project being implemented by Bread of Life Development Foundation in selected schools to improve access of school pupils to safe drinking water supply, sanitation services, and promote safe hygiene practices.

Officials of the Water Supply, Environment, and Health services of the Ado Odo Ota Local Government in Ogun state, Nigeria accompanied us to the visit. The Office of the Zonal Education Officer, and Ado Odo Ota Local Government Authority were also informed.

Observations check list

We observed and gathered information on the following:

1. The sources of drinking water in the school, its quality of the drinking water, and  physical access to school pupils.
2. Reported cases of waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea or cholera in the School.
3. Availability of gender-sensitive toilets in the school.
4. Toilet technology to determine whether it is improved or not improved Sanitation facility.
5. Availability of water for sanitation.
6. Presence of hand-washing items.
7. Facilities for menstrual hygiene including waste bins for safe disposal.

Findings

• There are two schools within the premises- St James Primary School 1, and St James Primary School II. We visited School II which has a population of 386 pupils.
• The major WASH challenge of the School is lack of water supply either through borehole or hand dug well. The school does not have a single water source, forcing students to bring drinking water in bottles from home. We learnt a voluntary organisation constructed a borehole with overhead water storage tanks for both schools few years ago, but this was never functional. The water infrastructure still remains in the school, though not in use.
• The Primary schools I and II each have five units of water flushed toilet, of which 3 are meant for students and the remaining 2 for teachers. However, due to the absence of water supply, the School’s toilet ( donated by Ota Doyen Lions Club in 2017), are not in use, locked up and abandoned.
• There is also a pour flush toilet pit at the back of the school, but it is also not in use due to the absence of water.
• Students defecate in open places and in bushy areas around the school premises, including inside the abandoned pour flush pit toilet. This is primary caused by lack of water to maintain the existing toilet faciltiies.

Recommendations

• The Ogun State Government should ensure all schools in the state has safe drinking water and toilet for students.  This should be prioritised and financed through public funds.
• Additionally, management of public school needs to identify and partner with stakeholders within their communities to finance the provision of safe water  and sanitation services for  school pupils.
• Towards achieving this, Bread of Life Development Foundation is discussing with the schools management on how funds could be innovatively raised from voluntary organisations and philantropists to address the WASH challenges in the School.