Dr. Apaak vows end to schools without toilets, assures access to safe water

Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak says no new school project will proceed without toilets, clean water and proper hygiene facilities.

Speaking at the WASH in Schools Policy Dialogue and launch of the 6th Child Sanitation Diplomats’ one-year campaign in Accra, Dr. Apaak said the government was determined to reverse years of neglect that have left many schools without basic sanitation infrastructure.

He stressed that poor sanitation continues to affect the health, dignity and academic performance of pupils across the country.

“It is unfortunate that in the past, several school buildings were constructed without proper water and sanitation facilities,” Dr. Apaak stated.

“I wish to assure you that under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the visionary direction of the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, no new school infrastructure project will be undertaken without the full provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities,” he added.

Dr. Apaak described the theme for the dialogue, “WASH in Schools: A Pre-requisite for Academic Excellence,” as timely and necessary, saying access to safe water and decent toilets was critical to creating a conducive learning environment.

“At the Ministry of Education, we recognise that a conducive learning environment goes beyond classrooms, textbooks, laptops, and qualified teachers,” he said. “It must also include access to clean drinking water, decent toilet facilities, and proper hygiene services.”

According to him, data from the 2020 Education Management Information System report shows that 25 percent of public basic schools in Ghana lack access to safe drinking water, while 26 percent do not have improved toilet facilities.

He noted that the sanitation crisis affects more than 1.5 million pupils in public schools and over 314,000 pupils in private schools nationwide.

Dr. Apaak said government would continue collaborating with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, development partners and civil society organisations to improve sanitation conditions in schools.

He also called on organisations and individuals to support the Child Sanitation Diplomat campaign to promote environmental sanitation and hygiene awareness among young people.