North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: Despite all the efforts of the School Education and Literacy Department in Jharkhand, the condition of infrastructure remains worse. According to recent data, approximately 500 government schools There is no separate functional toilet facility available for girl students. This situation not only reflects the failure of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ but is also posing a serious threat to the education and health of girl students.
1. The Numbers
Survey of Education Department and UDISE+ The facts that have emerged from the analysis of the report are shocking:
Schools without toilets: In more than 500 primary and middle schools of the state, toilet arrangements for girls are limited to paper.
Bad situation: Many schools have toilets but they are not fit for use due to lack of water, broken doors or lack of cleanliness.
Situation of rural areas: worst case scenario Palamu, Chatra, Latehar and Sahebganj Like in remote districts.
2. What is the impact on girl students?
Lack of basic facilities has a direct impact on the attendance and education of girl students:
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Increasing Dropout | Due to lack of toilets, especially adolescent girls are leaving schools. |
| health hazard | The risk of UTI and other infections is increasing among girl students due to not using toilet for a long time or unsafe hygiene. |
| violation of dignity | Girl students are forced to go out in the open, which is a major threat to their safety and privacy. |
3. Budget allocation and ground reality
The government releases a huge budget every year for the maintenance and cleanliness of schools. Despite this, lack of facilities in 500 schools indicates administrative negligence.
Use of funds: According to sources, ‘School Development Grant’ has not been utilized properly in many schools.
Lack of maintenance: There is no permanent arrangement for the maintenance of toilets after construction.
4. What is the stand of the Education Department?
After the report came out, the Education Department has given strict instructions to all the District Education Officers (DEOs):
Survey: The list of all schools where toilets require repair or construction should be updated within 15 days.
Priority: The department claims that under the ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan’, funds will be given to these 500 schools on priority basis in the new financial year (2026-27).
Community Collaboration: Village education committees will be given the responsibility of ensuring cleanliness of toilets.
Is just building enough?
Just erecting a structure made of bricks and stones is not cleanliness. Availability of water and regular cleanliness is the biggest challenge in these schools of Jharkhand. Unless there is provision of water connections and sanitation workers in schools, projects like ‘Pink Toilet’ will remain mere paper figures.
