A recent audit report tabled before Parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised concerns over widespread irregularities surrounding the construction of toilets in schools by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). This comes at a time when hygiene and sanitation have taken the driver’s seat due to looming global health threats.
Insight into Physical Survey
India is home to approximately 10.8 lakh government schools. Over 1.4 lakh toilets have been constructed across these educational institutions by 53 CPSEs. A significant proportion of this support is owed to the power, coal, and oil companies who have worked under the Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan. However, a physical survey conducted by CAG on a sample of 2,695 toilets built in 15 states by these companies revealed startling deviations.
Functionality and Sanitation Concerns
Among the surveyed coeducational schools, 99 schools did not have operational toilets, and there was a lack of separate toilets for boys and girls in 27% of the schools. Sanitation protocols were also found lacking with 75% of toilets not being cleaned daily and 72% devoid of running water facilities. More disconcerting was the absence of hand washing facilities in 55% of the toilets surveyed, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
Construction Challenges Plaguing The Initiative
The survey identified a further 83 toilets that were earmarked but not constructed. Additionally, 200 toilets reported as constructed were found to be non-existent, while 86 toilets were only partially built. The survey thus noted that almost 40% of toilets were non-existent, partially completed, or unused. Various construction defects such as non-provision of foundation, ramp/staircase, and damaged or overflowed leach pit resulted in ineffective use of toilets. Moreover, the use of prefabricated structures for constructing many toilets led to added expenditure, reduced durability, and non-compliance with direction.
Objectives of Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan
Launched by the Ministry of Education (formerly Ministry of Human Resource Development) in 2014, the Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan aims to fulfil the Right to Education Act’s mandate of separate toilets for boys and girls in all schools. As part of this program, CPSEs are required to construct toilets equipped with running water and hand washing facilities and maintain them for three to five years.
Relevance of School Toilets
Toilets in schools play a crucial role in ensuring that Constitutional rights are upheld. It is mandatory under the Right to Education Act for schools to have separate toilets for boys and girls. They also have a profound impact on health & nutrition, enrolment rates, and fostering a sanitary environment for students.
Understanding the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009
The RTE Act, enacted in 2009, guarantees primary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years, reinforcing Education as a fundamental right (Article 21-A). The act also makes provisions for admitting a non-admitted child to an age-appropriate class while mandating a 25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of society.
Ensuring Progress and Success
Regular monitoring is crucial for such programs related to basic facilities to succeed. Alongside adequate funding, emphasis should also be placed on cleaning and sanitation training, maintenance of toilets, and other issues. Furthermore, accountability must be enforced to avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure optimal utilization of funds and resources.