CHENNAI: Many school-going children in the city avoid using the toilets in their schools for hours together, as they are too dirty and stink . And these are children going to some posh private schools in the city.
Despite raising the issue with the managements on several occasions, little has been done, say parents. Many parents wrote letters and dropped their suggestion in the box kept at the school. But nothing has improved, says the mother of two children, who go to a CBSE school in Adyar.
Her daughter, a kindergarten student, and her son who is in Class III, prefer to wait till they get back home to relieve themselves.
In fact, one of her daughter s classmates refused to go to school as she dreaded having to use the toilet there. Every morning, she would cry and say she does not want to go to school, as the toilet is horrible, says the parent.
Frequent cleaning
Apart from the poor hygiene or lack of water, cited commonly, children point to an unbearable stench. Another student in Class VI of a reputed school in Mylapore says the toilets on the premises are extremely dirty. The stench comes even in the first floor, she says.
Her mother is sure the child is not exaggerating. The few times I have been to her class, I have felt that the stench was awful, she says.
Parents say that cleaning the toilets more frequently could be a solution.
Not all small children are toilet-trained. For many, their parents might be doing the job at home. Therefore, it becomes very important for schools to ensure toilets are cleaned frequently, says R. Subha, parent of a Class III student going to a private school in Anna Nagar. Not voiding one s bladders for hours together could have serious implications on one s health, caution doctors.
Sarada Suresh, director of the Institute of Child Health, says children who do not listen to their body needs and avoid using the toilets may not drink enough water, too.
Urinary infection is another consequence quite common among children. While we may not be able to conclude that a child picks up the infection at school, it is important that school managements pay more attention to maintaining toilets hygienically, she says.
The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082555120600.htm |
Search All News and Discussions
5 Jan 2009 08:29:29 GMT 
5 Jan 2009 08:30:32 GMT 
5 Jan 2009 08:33:47 GMT 
5 Jan 2009 08:35:39 GMT 