Grading school sanitation: Few high marks

Primary schools in some of the poorest countries have inadequate sanitation facilities, according to a pilot survey of 14 countries in 1995. The worst findings were in rural schools in Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal, where more than 90 pupils on average are sharing one toilet. By comparison, rural schools in Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Togo have fewer than 50 students per toilet. In urban areas, though, these three countries are among those with the worst record, with more than 50 pupils per toilet on average. Six countries have fewer than 50 students per toilet in city schools. 
 

Inadequate sanitation at schools hinders students' health and hygiene and can drive down attendance, especially for girls. These children in Benin are benefiting from a newly installed latrine at their primary school.

None of the 14 countries has increased the number of school toilets by more than 8% since 1990, suggesting that they are barely managing to keep up with the rise in student populations. 

The record on toilet conditions is equally dismal. In Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal, around half the school toilets are unusable, meaning they are either unclean (flush toilets) or in need of a new hole (latrines). Cape Verde rates best in cleanliness, with 91% of toilets being cleaned daily. In Bangladesh, 40% of schools reported that toilets are cleaned not even once a week. 

The 14 countries do somewhat better in providing safe water in schools. All of them except Ethiopia and Togo provide water to at least half the primary schools. In Cape Verde all schools have safe water. Bhutan provides water to 95% of schools and Maldives to 90% of schools. 

Inadequate sanitation and water in schools jeopardize not only students'    health but also their attendance. Girls in particular are likely to be kept out of school if there are no sanitation facilities.