Survey Of Toilet Facilities In Primary Schools In Enugu Urban.

ABSTRACT

The study examined the toilet facilities of the public primary schools in Enugu Urban. The

objectives of the study were to determine the availability of toilet facilities, types, sanitary

conditions and utilization practices in the primary schools. The target population of study was

teachers and pupils (primary 4 to 6) of public primary schools in Enugu urban. Sample size

were 658 (379 pupils and 279 teachers) Instrument used for data collection were self developed

questionnaire and observation check list. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential

statistics. Findings revealed that 93% of the schools studied had toilet facilities while 7% had

no toilets. Out of the 93% that had toilets, 29% were not functional. The toilet pupil ratio is 1:

300 which reveals that the available toilets facilities were grossly inadequate. Findings also

showed that 66% of pupils and 76% of the teachers reported that the school toilets emitted

offensive odour. Most of the pupils (69%) and the teachers (57%) reported that the toilets were

in very poor sanitary condition. Other findings from both the pupils and teachers were similar.

84% of the school toilets studied had fecal matter and urine on the floors, and none (0%) had

soap and toilet paper. 95% of the respondents reported lack of wash hand basins in the toilets.

There were no cleaners and cleaning agents in all the schools while most schools (80%) used

the same toilets for both male and female pupils and teachers, showing poor utilization practices

of those toilet facilities. The study concluded that toilet facilities in public primary schools in

Enugu Urban require urgent attention by all stakeholders, to prevent outbreak of diarrheal

diseases among school children, teachers and the community at large. The study therefore

recommended that Government and school authorities should direct more efforts towards

providing additional toilets and wash stations, renovating existing toilets and providing safe and

adequate water supply.