The lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities affects millions of children worldwide. Learn about the scale of this problem and its consequences, and explore potential solutions to this critical issue.
Written by Rika Andini
The lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities is a major problem affecting schools worldwide. Almost 1 in 3 schools, or 31%, lack these basic necessities, according to recent studies. The scale of the problem is even more alarming when we consider that an estimated 584 million children worldwide have limited or no access to basic drinking water services at school, with nearly half living in sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNESCO, UNICEF, and WFP. The consequences of this lack of access are severe, including the risk of waterborne diseases and poor hygiene, and can negatively impact attendance and academic performance.1
Shockingly, almost one in three schools do not have adequate sanitation facilities, and almost half have no hand washing facilities with water and soap.2 This means that millions of children are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases, which can have long-term consequences on their health and well-being. Furthermore, the lack of adequate sanitation facilities can impact girls’ education, as they may miss school during their menstrual cycle due to the lack of privacy and hygiene facilities. Addressing these basic necessities is crucial to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to receive a quality education and reach their full potential. We need to prioritize investments in safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities, as well as promote hygiene education and practices that can help prevent the spread of diseases and improve overall health outcomes for students.
Schools without clean drinking water cannot prepare meals for their students, which can contribute to child malnutrition. This, in turn, can have long-term consequences on their physical and cognitive development. Furthermore, the lack of running water and soap is a major challenge for girls, as they may miss school during their period due to the lack of proper facilities. This can lead to increased absenteeism, lower academic performance, and even dropouts, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Addressing these basic needs is crucial to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to receive a quality education and reach their full potential.
According to data from the World Bank, millions of students like Almira lack access to basic sanitation facilities in schools, particularly in low-income countries. Almira is just one of 126 students at a madrasah, or religious school, located in a slum area of Jakarta. The school used to have a single toilet for girls that was in extremely poor condition.3 The door had broken hinges, there was no ventilation, no knob or lock, and several holes were covered with tape. As a result, Almira and the other girls did not feel safe using the toilet. This is just one example of the dire situation that many students around the world face on a daily basis. Access to safe and adequate sanitation facilities is a basic human right, and all students should have the opportunity to learn in a safe and healthy environment. We need to prioritize investments in school infrastructure, including sanitation facilities, to ensure that all children have access to safe and healthy learning environments.
To overcome the challenges of limited access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities in schools, there needs to be a concerted effort to invest in these critical areas. This includes investing in infrastructure, such as the construction of safe water sources and the provision of adequate sanitation facilities. It also involves promoting hygiene education and practices that can help prevent the spread of diseases and improve overall health outcomes for students. These efforts require a commitment from governments, international organizations, and the private sector to prioritize the needs of vulnerable children and invest in their future.
Inadequate government funding for school infrastructure is one of the main causes of schools lacking safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. Many governments in low-income countries struggle to allocate sufficient resources to education, and as a result, schools are often underfunded and lack the necessary infrastructure to provide students with a safe and healthy learning environment. Without adequate funding, schools cannot build or maintain essential facilities such as toilets, handwashing stations, and clean water sources. This problem is compounded by the fact that many schools are located in remote or hard-to-reach areas, making it even more difficult to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Addressing this issue will require increased government funding for education, as well as better planning and coordination to ensure that schools in all areas have the necessary infrastructure to provide students with a quality education.
“Funding requirements for the water sector are minimal, and not just from the government, but also from other sources. According to Meike Kencanawulan Martawidjaja, the Director of Settlement Infrastructure Financing Implementation, the original planning allocation for the water sector was 63% of the APBN (the Indonesian national budget), but the realization was even smaller. This lack of funding makes it difficult to implement water and sanitation programs in schools and maintain facilities over time.”4
Poor planning and implementation of school water and sanitation programs is another cause of schools lacking safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. Even when funding is available, ineffective planning and implementation can result in inadequate or substandard facilities that fail to meet the needs of students. For example, poorly designed sanitation facilities may not be properly ventilated or maintained, leading to health hazards and unpleasant odors. Inadequate access to clean water can also be a problem, particularly in areas with limited resources or infrastructure. Poor planning and implementation of school drinking water and sanitation programs has created an environment where these basic human needs are not being met, which is an important issue that should be addressed immediately.
Lack of awareness about the importance of water and sanitation in schools is another significant cause of schools lacking safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. Many students, teachers, and parents may not fully understand the importance of clean water and proper sanitation in maintaining a healthy learning environment. This can lead to inadequate investment in facilities or a lack of attention to maintenance and upkeep. Governments, schools, and organizations need to prioritize education and awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation in schools. This can include providing education on hygiene practices and the benefits of clean water and sanitation, as well as involving students and parents in the design and maintenance of school facilities.
The consequences of schools lacking safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are significant. One of the primary concerns is the health risks to students and teachers. Without access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, students are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. Poor hygiene practices can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially in densely populated school environments. Additionally, teachers who work in schools without adequate water and sanitation facilities may also be at risk of illness, which can impact their ability to provide quality education to their students. Overall, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of students and teachers alike.
Another significant consequence of schools lacking safe drinking water and sanitation facilities is a negative impact on attendance and academic performance. Students who do not have access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities are more likely to miss school due to illness, which can have a long-term impact on their academic performance. Additionally, students may struggle to concentrate in class due to discomfort or illness, which can further impact their learning outcomes. Girls, in particular, may be more likely to miss school during their menstrual cycle if they do not have access to proper sanitation facilities. The lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools can also contribute to child malnutrition, which can further impact their cognitive development and academic performance. In summary, the consequences of schools lacking safe drinking water and sanitation facilities extend beyond just health risks and can have long-term impacts on the academic success and well-being of students.
Finally, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools can also have long-term economic consequences for the communities affected. Poor water and sanitation infrastructure can contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases, which can lead to increased healthcare costs and lost productivity. In addition, students who miss school due to illness may struggle to keep up with their studies and may not achieve their full potential. This can have a long-term impact on their future economic prospects and the economic growth of their communities. Furthermore, inadequate water and sanitation facilities can also contribute to environmental degradation, which can further impact the long-term economic sustainability of communities. In summary, the consequences of schools lacking safe drinking
water and sanitation facilities are not limited to the immediate health risks to students and teachers, but can also have long-term economic impacts on the affected communities.
The solution to the problem of schools lacking safe drinking water and sanitation facilities is to focus on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme from the United Nations. WASH is a critical part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has a distinct sector goal (SDG 6) that envisions universal, sustainable, and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and the elimination of open defecation by 2030.5 By investing in WASH, we can make progress across various goals, including nutrition, health, education, poverty and economic growth, urban services, gender equality, resilience and climate change. The focus should be on improving planning and implementation of school water and sanitation programs, increasing government funding, and promoting education and awareness campaigns.
Air Minum Bersih’s partnership with Carocell Solar Water Indonesia is an excellent example of a solution that addresses the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools. Through this partnership, pure drinking water is efficiently installed in remote Indonesian schools, and ongoing WASH education programs are provided to promote hygiene and sanitization. Safe WASH is essential to human health and well-being, and it contributes to livelihoods, school attendance, and dignity, creating resilient communities living in healthy environments. This partnership is a great example of how private companies can work together with the government and communities to provide sustainable solutions to complex problems.
The Carocell Solar Water Purification System has been making strides in providing safe drinking water globally, with over 182,500,000 litres of drinking water supplied in more than 30 countries each year. The technology has been fully tested and accredited, and has been installed in various countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, India, Mozambique, Malaysia, Kiribati, the USA, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Colombia, among others. With over 4,000 installations worldwide, the Carocell Solar Water Purification System offers a reliable and efficient solution to providing safe drinking water in areas where access to clean water is limited.
The WASH program implemented by Air Minum Bersih in partnership with Carocell Water has yielded positive results in reducing plastic bottled waste at the Karangasem Bebandem health center. Through the Pilot installation program, water purification equipment has been installed, enabling the health center to provide safe and clean drinking water to patients and visitors without the need for single-use plastic bottles. This initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. It demonstrates the potential of innovative solutions and partnerships in addressing the challenges of safe water and sanitation in communities, particularly in remote areas.
In conclusion, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities has severe consequences on the health, attendance, academic performance, and economic growth of these areas. However, there are solutions to this problem, including increased government funding for infrastructure, education and awareness campaigns, improved planning and implementation of water and sanitation programs, and partnerships with organizations like Carocell Solar Water Indonesia. The United Nations has also prioritized the WASH program as a critical component of the Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing the importance of safe and equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for overall human health and well-being. By working together and implementing these solutions, we can ensure a healthier, more prosperous future for all communities.
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Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, 80571
SK KEMENHUMKAM
AHU-0020799.AH.01.04 Tahun 2022
PNRI
Berita Negara No 080 Tahun 2022
Akta Notaris
no 09, 30 September 2022
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