Ensure safe water for schoolchildren

Many schools in Bangladesh do not have facilities for clean drinking water, hygienic toilets and arrangements for hand washing. According to a report of the UN agencies, one in five schools (19 per cent) across the country does not have any facility for safe drinking water. Almost 8.5 million children have to face a lack of basic hygiene facilities during their education. As most of these students cannot afford bottled water, they often have to drink contaminated tap water. This is one way through which water-borne diseases spread. Drinking this water can cause various diseases including diarrhoea, cholera, hepatitis and typhoid. A lack of safe water and sanitation facilities can cause dehydration, illness and even death. But many children are forced to risk their health to take part in classes. Adolescent girls in particular often miss classes when they are on their periods if there is no proper cleaning and sanitation facility.

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is not only essential for effective infection prevention and control but also a prerequisite for children's health, development and well-being. Schools play a critical role in promoting the formation of healthy habits and behaviours. There should be settings where children thrive and they are not subjected to hardship or infections due to lack of, or poorly maintained, basic infrastructure. Every educational institution in the country must have filter or purifying water systems. These systems should be maintained properly. The government should ensure safe drinking water in all educational institutions by installing modern filters or purifiers.

Md Maruf Hassan Bhiuyan,

Feni Sadar, Feni,

mdmarufhassanbhiuyen@gmail.com