LASG ADVOCATES COLLECTIVE PARTICIPATION TO DRIVE IMPROVED SCHOOL SANITATION

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday reiterated the collective participation of everyone to advocate for an improvement in school sanitation infrastructure with the promotion of awareness campaigns in all schools across the metropolis. 

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made this known at the Stakeholders Interactive Session on School Sanitation held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI Conference Centre Ikeja, saying stakeholders must mobilise resources to address these gaps in all schools.

The Commissioner, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji said best sanitation and hygiene practices are the foundation of healthy learning in any environment. 

He added that it is within the walls of schools that the future leaders’ lives are sharpened, as such, everyone must ensure that these young minds grow up under the proper conditions that support both their education and health. 

He described this year’s theme: “Embracing Sanitation and Hygiene Behaviour in Schools in Lagos State” as very apt, adding that schools are more than just places of learning but places where values, attitudes, and behaviours are formed.

According to him, “Together, we can create a school environment in Lagos that promotes good health, dignity, and equality for all children. This is our shared responsibility, and I am confident that, united in purpose, we can achieve this vision for our children”.

Speaking further, Wahab said when best sanitation practices are embraced, it will not only benefit the students but also the immediate families and the community at large, adding that the government recognises that some challenges may exist but are not insurmountable. 

He said inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene are barriers to education, particularly in schools where access to clean water, proper toilet facilities, and knowledge of hygienic practices is limited, stressing that everyone must work to ensure that no child, regardless of gender or age, is left behind in this cause.

He said the present administration places significant emphasis on Health, Environment, Education, and Technology under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda, adding that, towards this end, the Ministry collaborated with relevant MDAs and Corporate Organisations on sustainable intervention projects/programmes to ensure that best Sanitation practices are embraced in all Schools in Lagos through effective monitoring. 

He added that the Ministry has set sanitation standards in schools, especially in the area of the accreditation process for the establishment of private schools in the State, saying the success rate has moved from 10% in the year 2021 to 65% in 2023 through a collaboration with the Office of Education Quality 

“I urge every one of us to become worthy ambassadors for change. Students, you are the most important stakeholders in this journey; Embrace the principles of good hygiene; wash your hands with soap and water; keep your environment clean, and be mindful of waste disposal”. 

Wahab also called on teachers to continually educate and empower the students to take charge of their health, noting that it is important for Parents and community members to support the schools in their sanitation efforts and advocate for improvements where needed.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Sanitation Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth said access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is an important basic human need for the health and well-being of everyone.

He added that in the year 2022, the United Nations reported that 2.2 billion people still lacked potable water, 703 million without basic water service; 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation;1.5 billion without basic sanitation services; 2 billion lacked basic handwashing facilities and 653 million with no hand washing facility at all.

The Guest lecturer, Mr. Dare Oduniyi from Water Aid Nigeria, who spoke on the topic: “Sanitation and Hygiene Best Practices In Schools”, stated that optimal performance can only be achieved from students with a good sanitary environment which is safe and conducive to the physical, mental and emotional health of the child to achieve maximum benefits from educational benefits.

He stated that Sanitation and Hygiene Matters in schools will improve student well-being and increase productivity as well as boost community development.

One of the high points of the event was the presentation of Gifts and Awards to schools in two categories – Sanitation and Hygiene Best Practices as well as the Recycling and Upcycling Initiatives category.