Summary:
- Akarungu Primary School is among those currently facing severe sanitation issues. With over 500 students, the school has only one latrine, resulting in a pupil-to-latrine ratio of about 1:500, significantly exceeding the national planning standard of 1:40.
MBARARA: Authorities in the Mbarara district have appealed to the Ministry of Education and Sports to temporarily close some primary schools with poor sanitation facilities to avert possible disease outbreaks.
Officials have reported that over 10 schools have pit latrines with large cracks that are still in use.
Akarungu Primary School is among those currently facing severe sanitation issues. With over 500 students, the school has only one latrine, resulting in a pupil-to-latrine ratio of about 1:500, significantly exceeding the national planning standard of 1:40.
During a water and sanitation coordination meeting on Friday at the district water board room, Alastus Tugume, the District Assistant Health Officer overseeing Environmental Health, addressed stakeholders about the overcrowding and inadequate sanitation in schools. He also expressed concern over the district’s overall sanitation status, noting an 80% coverage rate with hand-washing at only 60%.
Tugume emphasized the importance of meeting the recommended ratios of 1:40 for day schools and 1:25 for boarding schools, underscoring the current shortfall in sanitation coverage.
District Chairman Didas Tabaro urged the Ministry of Education and Sports to intervene by closing the most affected schools to prevent a looming disaster.
