School Sanitation Situation

Emma Jacobsen

Ms Tompkins 1

World Literature Honors

13 March 2015

School Sanitation Situation

Can you imagine having no access to water at school, and having to be there for the long, hot hours of the day. That is how children and teens go to school in Africa everyday. In most schools in Africa, water and sanitation are scarce, distracting from getting an education as children focus on their dehydration.  The lack of proper facilities and essential resources for clean water and sanitation hinders education in Africa.

One of the reasons the lack of sanitation in schools is an issue is because it is hindering girls’ education. According to an article by the Africa News Service, most girls miss school when they are menstruating because of lack of proper bathrooms, and they do not want their peers to know (Africa News Service). This puts a block in their education as they are missing a lot of school, and some don’t even graduate. This issue shows the importance of proper bathrooms at school. For example, Sarta had to miss lessons for two days, which affects her education because she misses subjects like Math, Physics, and Chemistry. These subjects are important to her because she wants to become a Petroleum Engineer (Boley). As many girls are missing school around four times a month, the lack of proper facilities for sanitation interferes with their education.  

Another reason why the lack of water and sanitation is taking away from childrens’ education is that most schools do not have water available on campus. In an article based on African school hygiene, most African schools do not have access to water, making the student walk home for water, or try to go the whole day without water, distracting from their learning (Boley). As stated by the Africa News Service, “A child does not have access to clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene facilities” (Africa News Service). The lack of good water supply is not promoting good hygiene among the students. Many of the younger students who need more water are having trouble in school.

As African schools do not provide water and sanitation at school, the students education is hindered as they have to travel home or stay home. The solution is illustrated in an Article by the Africa News Service,  “the government must see the challenge of sanitation and water and its solution as part of an integrated approach to ensuring progress across the development sectors with the aim to improve child survival, increase girls' education, strengthen economic growth and reduce poverty.” The education of the children of Africa is affected by the lack of sanitation and available water in schools.

Works Cited

Boley, Tecee. "Water and Sanitation Problems Driving Children From School." Africa News Service 21 Mar. 2013: n. pag. Student Resources in Context. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

"Clean Water and Proper Sanitation Essential." Editorial. Africa News Service 23 Oct. 2008: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. (Paragraph 3 Citation).

"Lack of Toilet Facilities Hinders Girl-Education, Says Group." Africa News Service 5 Mar. 2014: n. pag. Global Issues in Context. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. (Paragraph 2 Citation).