By Shuntel Glasgow
In the wake of disclosures that there are 77 pit latrines in hinterland schools, the head of the toshaos council and the Chairman of Region Seven have called for their dismantling.
The government has been silent on the way forward. Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has declined to comment to the Sunday Stabroek on the matter and there has been no word from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. The existence of so many pit latrines – only in schools in indigenous villages – has raised questions about the government’s spending priorities almost five years into oil production and its disposition towards these regions.
Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John recently told the Sunday Stabroek that schools in the hinterland regions should not be excluded from the upgraded sanitary facilities found in other places of learning around the country, therefore, pit latrines need to be demolished and transitioned to flush toilets.
The need for improved sanitary facilities in schools across hinterland regions has become increasingly urgent, John highlighted, as he emphasised the importance of installing flush toilets in these schools. He noted that while some communities struggle with inadequate water supply, the construction of several wells in the area presents a viable solution to the transition from traditional latrines to functional flush toilets.
The NTC Chairman applauded the initiative to employ residents for the construction of the sanitary facilities. While stating that latrines should be transitioned to flush toilets speedily, John said, “It is time that our villages see an upgrade in the schools.”
He added that while the transition is a work in progress, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) funds are also being used to set up public conveniences within the hinterland regions.
Meanwhile, Cuyuni/Mazaruni Chair-man, Kenneth Williams told the Sunday Stabroek that it is clearly unacceptable to have pit latrines as a sanitary facility in schools across Region Seven. Willams related that he recently visited Paruima, Upper Mazaruni, and Kamarang, where several schools have pit latrines. The chairman said he was hoping that it was an issue of the past but sadly they have existed for years within the region. According to the Chairman, several business owners have upgraded to the modern sanitary facilities and flush toilets are common in the region.
Advocating for the latrines to be transitioned to flush toilets within six months, Williams said children are familiar with flush toilets because they can be found in many public places and they should also be able to use them in school. Hotels, guest houses, and businesses, within Region Seven have transitioned to flush toilets.
The Chairman called on the government to upgrade the sanitary facilities within the hinterland regions in a timely manner.
Following consternation over the Phillipai Primary in Region Seven having a latrine, a subsequent survey carried out by the Education Ministry found that 77 hinterland schools have such outdoor facilities, sources say.
The revelation raised further questions about government’s spending priorities as over US$1 billion in petroleum revenues have been pumped into the 2024 budget.
Stabroek News had reported in August that a survey was being done by the ministry to determine the number of latrines still in use. This had been disclosed by Manickchand in response to a question by Stabroek News.
Asked last month for an update on the survey, Manickchand declined to provide any information except to say that residents will provide some of the materials in Phillipai for the construction of the sanitary block there.
News about the survey was however provided by Alliance For Change Leader, Nigel Hughes, who had several weeks ago raised questions about the latrine at Phillipai.
At an AFC press conference, Hughes stated that the survey was completed and revealed that 77 schools including primary, secondary and nursery have pit latrines in regions Seven, Eight, and Nine, and that these are serving over 5,000 learners.
The AFC Leader emphasised that the situation showcased systematic discrimination against Indigenous people as they are the only ones attending educational facilities with such sanitation facilities. He called on the Minister of Education to release the report titled, “MOE Information on Sanitary Facilities/Latrines,” and advocated for immediate funding to replace pit latrines in the 77 schools with flush toilets. Hughes also condemned the current conditions as unacceptable, characterising them as a form of unofficial mistreatment that relegates students to second-class citizenship.
“MOE [Minister of Education] said she was going to cause the Ministry to conduct a survey of pit latrines after we raised the issue in relation to Phillipai. Survey completed and results indicated 77 schools which have pit latrines, all of them are in Indigenous areas and they are in excess of 5,000 students who are attending schools which only have pit latrines. This is the clearest evidence of discriminatory systems in relation to the Indigenous people, they are the only students who attend educational facilities with pit latrines,” Hughes declared.
Manickchand, in an earlier interview with Stabroek News had explained that the education system had been decentralised and as such schools are managed by the regional governance system. The ministry had however asked for information about all schools that have pit latrines.
“The central ministry has asked for all schools that have pit latrines. What we are doing right now is finding out how many schools, if any at all, are using pit latrines and then we will have to look at conditions that exist and that are being required for them to transition to flush toilets.”
The distribution of pit latrines in schools follows:
Region 1
Kariako Primary: enrolment – 218 (115 male, 103 female); latrines -1, flush toilets – 0
Region 7
2. Jawalla Nursery: enrolment – 63 (31 male, 32 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
3. Phillipai Nursery: enrolment – 104 (52 male, 52 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
4. Kamarang Nursery: enrolment – 58 (29 male, 29 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
5. Kako Nursery: enrolment – 44 (20 male, 24 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 0
6. Waramadong Nursery: enrolment – 55 (26 male, 29 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
7. Paruima Nursery: enrolment – 41(28 male, 13 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
8. Jawalla Primary: enrolment – 359 (177 male, 182 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 0
9. Kaikan Primary: enrolment – 92 (46 male, 46 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
10. Kako Primary: enrolment – none given; latrines – 2, flush toilets – 2
11. Kamarang Primary: enrolment – 232 (113 male, 119 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 2
12. Paruima Primary: enrolment – 127 (67 male, 60 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 2
13. Imbaimadai Primary: enrolment – 154 (92 male, 62 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 2
14. Wax Creek Primary: enrolment – 68 (33 male, 35 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
15. Eterinbang Primary: enrolment – 156 (71 male, 85 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
16. DC Caesar Fox Secondary: enrolment – 553 (214 male, 339 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
Region 8
17. Bamboo Creek Primary: enrolment – 188 (108 male, 80 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 3
18. Chenapou Primary: enrolment – 183 (108 male, 75 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 5
19. Chiung Mouth Primary: enrolment – 35 (21 male, 14 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
20. Itabac Primary: enrolment – 81 (39 male, 42 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
21. Kaibarupai Primary: enrolment – 106 (50 male, 56 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
22. Kamana Primary: enrolment – 81 (27 male, 54 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 0
23. Kanapang Primary: enrolment – 34 (25 male, 9 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 9
24. Kato Primary: enrolment – 131 (72 male, 59 female); latrines – 4, flush toilets – 0
25. Kopinang Primary: enrolment – 146 (76 male, 70 female); latrines – 6, flush toilets – 4
28. Maikwak Primary: enrolment – 34 (22 male, 12 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 1
29. Monkey Mountain Primary: enrolment – 252 (125 male, 127 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 7
30. Paramakatoi Primary: enrolment – 201 (113 male, 88 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 0
31. Bashville Primary: enrolment – 57 (30 male, 27 female); latrines – 6, flush toilets – 0
32. Taruka Primary: enrolment – 60 (27 male, 33 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 0
33. Tuseneng Primary: enrolment – 45 (31 male, 14 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 1
34. Waipa Primary: enrolment – 57 (31 male, 26 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
35. Sand Hill Primary: enrolment – 24 (15 male, 9 female); latrines – 5, flush toilets – 0
36. Kato Secondary: enrolment – 368 (164 male, 204 female); latrines – 7, flush toilets – 6
Region 9 – Nursery Schools
1. Nappi Nursery: enrolment – 45 (20 male, 25 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 4
2. Yupukari Nursery: enrolment – 38 (18 male, 20 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
3. Wowetta Nursery: enrolment – 26 (14 male, 12 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
4. Annai Nursery: enrolment – 28 (13 male, 15 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 4
5. Yakarinta Nursery: enrolment – 46 (22 male, 24 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 3
6. Massara Nursery: enrolment – 25 (12 male, 13 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 2
7. Shulinab Nursery: enrolment – 23 (14 male, 9 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 3
8. Shea Nursery: enrolment – 36 (21 male, 15 female); latrines – 3, flush toilets – 3
9. Karaudarnau Nursery: enrolment – 40 (25 male, 15 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 2
10. Tiger Pond Nursery: enrolment – 22 (13 male, 9 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
11. Yupukari Annex (Fly Hill): enrolment – 46 (23 male, 23 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 4
12. Quarrie Nursery: enrolment – 33 (15 male, 18 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
13. Quatata Nursery: enrolment – 45 (19 male, 26 female); latrines – 4, flush toilets – 0
15. Semonie Nursery: enrolment – 71 (30 male, 41 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
16. Sawariwau Nursery: enrolment – 86 (44 male, 42 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 1
17. Macushi Nursery: enrolment – 62 (35 male, 27 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – non-functional
18. Macushi Primary (Quiko Annex): enrolment – 49 (24 male, 25 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
19. Katoonarib Nursery: enrolment – 85 (43 male, 42 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
20. Parikwarunau Nursery: enrolment – 51 (24 male, 27 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
21. Rupunau Nursery: enrolment – 84 (42 male, 42 female); latrines – 6, flush toilets – 0
22. Katu’ur Nursery: enrolment – 39 (20 male, 19 female); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 1
23. Annai Nursery: enrolment – 116 (53 male, 63 female); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 5
24. Apoteri Nursery: enrolment -98 (43 male, 55 female); latrines – 4, flush toilets – 0
Region 9 – Primary Schools
1. Aranaputa: enrolment – 73 (male: 44, female: 29); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 2
3. Kwatamang: enrolment – 84 (male: 39, female: 45); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 1
4. Rewa: enrolment – 69 (male: 40, female: 29); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 0
5. Toka: enrolment – 36 (male: 15, female: 21); latrines – 1, flush toilets – 2
6. Achawib Annex (Bashaizon): enrolment – 48 (male: 21, female: 27); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 1
7. Aishalton: enrolment – 204 (male: 102, female: 102); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 8
8. Karaudarnau: enrolment – 148 (male: 83, female: 65); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 5
9. Para Bara: enrolment – 58 (male: 27, female: 31); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
10. Konashen: enrolment – 87 (male: 50, female: 37); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 0
11. Shea: enrolment – 89 (male: 44, female: 45); latrines – 2, flush toilets – 4
