Students and staff at Government Day Secondary School in Shagari Local Government in Sokoto state are grappling with a dire situation: the absence of proper sanitation facilities. This has forced students to resort to open defecation in the nearby bush, posing serious health risks and disrupting their education.
ASHENEWS‘ visit to the school revealed the extent of the problem. The sole toilet, constructed in 2007, has collapsed and is now overgrown with bush. Students have been compelled to relieve themselves in the open for the past five years, often leading to absenteeism and discomfort.
The Principal of Government Day Secondary School in Shagari Local Government, Yusuf Abdullahi Shagari who confirmed the observation of the reporter said that the school used to have only one toilet which was built in 2007 adding that the toilet collapsed a long time ago and cannot be used anymore.
He said that he had written several letters to the state government, local government, and the Local Government Schools Authority (LGSA), but the school has received no response.
“I was posted to this school last year and met the toilet was already in bad condition. Since then, as a school, we have written to the state government, local government, and the Local Government Schools Authority (LGSA), but we have received no response.”
He explained that students have no choice but to go to the bush when they need to relieve themselves.
“It is very bad because sometimes they don’t return to school. Some even use it as an excuse to run home and come back the next day. If we did not take attendance in the morning and after the break, we would not even notice they were gone. It is very unfortunate because the students are forced to choose between their education and their basic human needs. Some even avoid eating to minimize the urge to use the toilet,” Shagari lamented.
The school’s water supply is equally problematic. The only well, which is functional only during the rainy season, is insufficient to meet the needs of the 1,498 students.
“During the dry season, students are burdened with the task of fetching water from home. This not only adds to their workload but also increases their risk of exposure to various health hazards. We only have a well that works during the rainy season, so it is only useful for one term,” the Principal explained.
“A Youth Corper once wanted to help build new toilets because he was worried about the students going to the bush, but he couldn’t get a sponsor before finishing his service. Our student population is large, and we urgently need toilets. I ask NGOs and the government to step in and assist us in building toilets to keep our students safe and in school.
“Despite these challenges, our students are improving academically, and we have dedicated staff working hard to educate them.”
Students echoed the principal’s concerns. Mustapha Sheua, an SS 3 student at Government Day Secondary School Shagari, expressed his frustration about the lack of toilets at the school. “We don’t have any toilets, and the one we had is no longer usable. I feel very bad having to go to the bush, especially when I know I have a proper toilet at home. I want the government to help us by building toilets and a fence for our school,” he said.
Another SS 3 student, Muhammad Atiku, shared his experience. “I only use the bush once a day when I am at school because I make sure to use the toilet at home before coming here. I do not like going to the bush at all,” he said. “I try to avoid using the bush by controlling my diet, but it is not always possible.”
Amir Sheua, also in SS 3, said he avoids the bush completely by controlling what he eats. “I do not eat much before I leave home so I will not feel pressed to use the bush. I always wait until I get home to use the toilet,” he explained.
The school’s Vice Principal, Saidu Mudi, appealed for urgent government intervention. “We used to have an old toilet, but we discovered the structure was weak, so we stopped using it. Later, it completely collapsed. We are hopeful that the government will address this issue and provide our students with a conducive learning environment,” he said.
Open defecation is a common problem in Nigerian public schools due to a lack of sanitation facilities, water, and maintenance. According to UNICEF, 70 per cent of Nigerian schools lack basic sanitation services. In some schools, students prefer to defecate outside because of a lack of water. According to Nigeria’s National Road Map to make the country Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2025, more than 45 million people practice the menace in Nigeria.
The dire financial situation of the Government Day Secondary School in Shagari LGA further exacerbates the problem. With limited funds, the school cannot independently address the sanitation crisis.
As the school year progresses, the students and staff of Government Day Secondary School continue to endure this challenging situation. The lack of basic sanitation facilities not only undermines their health and well-being but also hinders their academic progress.
