“Water is very, very important for children in terms of their education,” says Clement Akazeire Nyaaba, head teacher of Foe Primary School B.
Published on: 28/05/2020
Material prepared by a team from the Ghana National Development Planning Commission and IRC Ghana
Clement Akazeire Nyaaba, head teacher of Foe Primary School B, being interviewed in front of water tower that serves schools in the town
His school with 186 pupils is one of three that shared a single borehole where the children used to queue– often arriving back late for lessons. Now a water tower stands outside the school and easily meets their needs. “There is an abundance of water,” says the head teacher. “The children come and drink and then the classes start as normal. We have been able to follow the timetable.”
WaterAid Ghana and the District Assembly brought water to the school in 2017 and in 2019 also built two new toilet blocks. Bongo District Assembly plans for all three-class schools to have a mechanical borehole and pour flush toilets – 4 for boys, 4 for girls and two for teachers.
13-year-old Regina Awinbire explained that the old toilets were unclean and felt dangerous. “Students are afraid to go there to defecate. They think they may fall. I myself was afraid.”
The head teacher says this led to children defecating in around the school, putting health at risk. The toilets are open throughout the school day and are well used by students, with separate toilets also for staff. The school teaches girls about menstrual hygiene and the girls’ block also has a changing room for their use. When WaterAid installed the toilets they also asked community members in Foe to build toilets at their homes. “We encourage the students to tell their parents to have one in their homes,” says Mr Nyaaba.
Student Regina Awinbire: Young people did not feel safe in the old toilets – now things have changed
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