Pupils ‘will have access to water in schools’

Local authorities in Tayside and Fife issue assurances that children won’t go thirsty

Concerns over restricted access to water coolers and fountains in schools have met with assurances that drinking water is available for children.

Many schools advised pupils to bring filled water bottles as part of measures to reduce the risk of infection from Covid-19.

But there were reports of limited access to water coolers and claims this left some youngsters unable to top up.

Levenmouth Academy said its water coolers were out of use until it received clearance last Friday, while pupils of Tayview Primary School in Dundee were advised before last week’s return there were no facilities to refill bottles.

Fife Council insisted drinking water was available, as did Perth and Kinross Council. Dundee City Council said it would provide bottled water.

Bailey-lee Robb, Scottish Youth Parliament member for Cowdenbeath, spoke out on the issue after hearing of several schools where access to water for refilling bottles was a problem.

Despite insistence from authorities pupils had access to drinking water, he said: “People on the ground are saying ‘no, we have not’.”

The former Lochgelly High School pupil said it was vital children and young people were able to top up bottles throughout the day.

He said: “They could, like me, have a medical condition. I would go through at least two and a half litres of water a day at school.

“Some pupils have PE four times a week and it’s all fine and well taking a 500ml water bottle but if you have PE first thing in the morning, that’s it gone.”

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland, Bruce Adamson, wrote to the Scottish Government urging it to provide clarity to schools to ensure access to water, which he said was a human right.

However, head of education Shelagh Mclean said Fife Council had considered how drinking water could be provided safely.

She said: “Water coolers are available, as normal, with measures in place, according to the individual school, to ensure availability, safe use and cleaning.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said all schools in the region had adequate access to drinking water.

He said: “We have changed the use of water fountains so that pupils do not drink from them directly but are used only to fill bottles instead.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council confirmed bottled water would be provided to schools.

Angus Council did not respond.

Picture: Steve Brown. Bailey-lee Robb, a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Cowdenbeath, says pupils must have access to drinking water in schools.