A study conducted by three voluntary organisations revealed that 30.77% schools inOdishado not have usable toilets.
With schools reopening, the organizations have urged the to prioritise building and maintenance of school toilets.
Lack of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in a school is linked to interest of students to attend classes. But many schools in rural areas do not have proper washrooms or drinking water facilities.
The study was conducted jointly by Atmashakti Trust and its allies – Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha and Mahila Shramajeebee Mancha, Odisha. The survey was conducted across 10,043 government-run schools in 82 blocks of 18 districts.
The study revealed that 3,438 schools (34.34%) do not have drinking water facilities. “Safe drinking water in schools not only keeps school-going children free of dehydration and sickness, but also helps in bringing down absenteeism,” it stated.