111 primary schools still without toilets in Kanpur district

KANPUR: While the government is into a high pitch campaign for toilets in every household, the children at 111 government run primary schools in Kanpur district are still managing without one, says a report by Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), Kanpur.

Not just toilets, these schools do not offer any facility of potable water for its students, adds the report.

Of the 316 primary schools here, the report says, 111 have no toilets. Here students and teachers have either to go to home or to find a safe place to attend the nature’s call during school hours.

Besides, there is no facility of potable water in about 93 primary schools. Students and teachers carry drinking water from homes. And they remain thirsty if the water is consumed before the school gets over.

The startling facts have come to light after the reports of the Block Education Officers (Khand Shiksha Adhikari) were submitted to BSA Jai Singh were compiled.

Around 10 days back, Singh had asked them to submit the status report of the primary and higher secondary schools in the district pertaining to the facility of toilets, potable water and furniture available there

Singh says the report has been forwarded to the district magistrate for necessary action.

According to report, 107 primary schools and four higher secondary schools did not have toilets. In addition to it there were about 93 primary and higher secondary schools which have no facility of drinking water. Singh said: “More than 60% schools were in private houses and the landlords do not allow any further construction, even of the toilets.”

Instead, they want the BSA to vacate their houses which they had rented out for running schools 25 to 30 years ago.

“It is not feasible to shift all the schools. Efforts are being made to ensure the facilities,” he said.

DM Surendra Singh said, “We are going to upgrade the existing toilets and construct new ones; the UPSIDC is giving Rs 50 lakh for this purpose,” he said.