About a third of schools still do not have basic drinking water services. It affects 546 million students, according to UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News
UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) have revealed that despite a steady decline in the percentage of schools without basic water and sanitation services, deep inequalities exist between countries and within.
It mainly affects school children from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Emerging data show that many schools do not have access to water and sanitation services for people with disabilities.
Schools play a vital role in promoting healthy habits and behaviors, but by 2021 the latest figures from the UNICEF and World Health Organization (JMP) monitoring program (JMP) show that many still do not have access to basic water and sanitation services.
Globally, basic drinking water services are still not available in 29% of schools, affecting 546 million students; 28% of schools still lack basic sanitation (toilets) affecting 539 million students; 42% of schools with 802 million students still do not have access to basic water (hand washing facilities).
One-third of children without basic services in schools live in underdeveloped countries and more than half live in poor conditions. Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania are the only two areas where basic school hygiene coverage is less than 50%; Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where the coverage of basic services for drinking water in schools is less than 50%.
To achieve universal coverage in schools by 2030, the current improvement rate for basic drinking water needs to be increased 14 times, the improvement rate for basic sanitation needs to be tripled and water systems basically increased fivefold. Achieving universal coverage of basic sanitation facilities in schools by 2030 will require 100 to 50 times the rate of their current improvement, even in underdeveloped and vulnerable countries.
To improve readiness and response to infectious diseases, water and sanitation services in schools, including sanitation, disinfection and solid waste treatment, and other anti-infection control (IPC) components need to be monitored regularly.
“A lot of kids go to school without clean water, clean bathrooms and soap, which makes learning difficult,” said Kelly Ann Nailer, UNICEF’s director of water, sanitation, climate and environment.
“The Kovid-19 epidemic underscores the importance of providing a healthy and inclusive learning environment.
Not only is access to water and sanitation essential for effective prevention and control of infections, but it is also a prerequisite for the health, development and well-being of children, ”said Maria Neera, Director, World Health Organization, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health.