Dear Editor,
SN’s editorial of October 8th has highlighted the issue of pit latrines at schools in the hinterland.
Indeed this is a most concerning matter that needs to be addressed with utmost urgency. But much closer to the coastland, in many schools with sanitary blocks, there is an even more pressing issue. A lot of these sanitary blocks with modern flush toilets do not work properly because there is a woeful shortage of water to flush these toilets. It is a problem that has been ongoing for the longest while with little relief in sight. It serves little or no purpose if these so-called modern washroom facilities do not have the basic amenities to make them work properly.
My son who attends a city primary school recently told me that their washrooms are kept locked because of the lack of water. So in an effort to keep the washroom facilities clean, children are made to suffer. My daughter attends a secondary school in the city and just yesterday she asked for me to collect her from school because she wanted to use the washroom. She did not want to use the school washrooms because the toilets were dirty and there was no water to flush them. More than likely such issues like those I highlighted exist in many other schools.
While the editorial rightly spoke about better washroom facilities across all schools, there also needs to be a closer inspection on whether these “better facilities” are actually working as intended. And indeed politicians have waded into the matter. Is it really for betterment? Or just to gain political mileage? Because, while they can travel to the remote hinterland locations and identify these shortcomings they do not seem aware of similar shortcomings in schools much closer to their offices.
Here’s hoping that the editorial on this matter isn’t the end. Maybe a SN journalist can visit some schools along the coast and see for themselves if the sanitary blocks are operating efficiently. Our children have suffered for far too long with inadequate washroom facilities. It’s time to put a complete end to this shortcoming once and for all. Money certainly isn’t the issue anymore.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)