Sanitation
According to the World Health
Organization, sanitation refers to the
provision of facilities and services for the
safe management of human excreta from
the toilet to containment and storage and
treatment onsite or conveyance, treatment
and eventual safe end use or disposal. More
broadly sanitation also included the safe
management of solid waste and animal
waste.
Inadequate sanitation is a major cause
of infectious diseases such as cholera,
typhoid and dysentery world-wide. It also
contributes to stunting and impaired cognitive function and impacts on well-being
through school attendance, anxiety and safety with lifelong consequences, especially
for women and girls.
Improving sanitation in households, health facilities and schools underpins progress
on a wide range of health and economic development issues including universal
health coverage and combatting antimicrobial resistance.
At school, children need access to an adequate number of safe toilets. Garbage and
other wastes need to be managed. Classrooms and the school compound need to
be clean. Children can help, but it is important that they help decide what needs
to be done and how it should be done. The activities must not be considered a
punishment.
Human waste, like feces and urine, carries many diseases that can make children
and teachers ill. Every school needs to have and maintain toilet for children to use.
Toilets should be divided for girls and boys to give children privacy. Children need
to know good toilet habits and to keep the area clean, washed and tidy for all.
Dropping wastes on the ground makes a school look dirty, spreads disease and can
cause injuries. Every school needs to dispose of wastes properly. Children can learn
better in clean and organized classrooms. Wash furniture, floors, blackboards and
other surfaces regularly.
The land, roads, homes, plants and animals form part of the community environment.
If members of the community work together they can keep their community clean.
Children need to feel like they are a part of this effort. Polluting our air, water and
soil causes many diseases. Close attention needs to be paid to keeping water sources
[Link] to keep water sources clean include: not pouring oil or chemicals on the
ground, keeping human and animal waste away from water sources and building
toilets far from water sources.
It is best for the whole community to have a plan and work together to manage
waste. Every household needs to dispose of their household and personal waste
safely.
Domestic animals (like cows, goats, pigs and dogs) are important to families for
work and food, but it is important to ensure that they do not spread disease.
Animals must be kept away from areas where food is prepared and where people
sleep. Hands should be washed after touching animals, especially before we eat.
Animal feces needs to be removed from areas where we eat, sleep and work and
from areas where children play. We should place the feces in a toilet or in a pit dug
for that purpose.
It is important to identify and remove standing water (puddles, ditches, barrels
without lids and any other water that does not move). Mosquitoes and other insects
breed in standing water and can spread disease. Holes in the ground can be filled.
When water is disposed of after washing, it should be poured somewhere where it
can soak into the ground or be drained.
Plants give us clean air for breathing and absorb pollution from the air. Trees and
plants give us shade and protect our soil, fields and crops from erosion. Trees should
be planted by roads, along paths by schools and in other public places. We should
care for these trees after we plant them.
Benefits of improving sanitation
Benefits of improved sanitation extend well beyond reducing the risk of diarrhea.
These include:
• reducing the spread of intestinal worms, schistosomiasis and trachoma, which
are neglected tropical diseases that cause suffering for millions;
• reducing the severity and impact of malnutrition;
• promoting dignity and boosting safety, particularly among women and girls;
• promoting school attendance: girls’ school attendance is particularly boosted
by the provision of separate sanitary facilities; and
• potential recovery of water, renewable energy and nutrients from fecal waste.
Toilets that are clean and well-maintained will encourage learners to use them
properly and keep them clean and functional. Proper toilet use will help prevent
spread of germs and diseases and promote healthy habits and good grooming.
For learners: Proper toilet etiquette
• Enter: Wipe your shoes or slippers on the floor mat
before entering. Use bathroom footwear, if provided. Lock
the cubicle door when you enter.
• Use: Avoid messing the toilet seat. Boys should stand close
to the bowl when urinating. Do not step on the toilet seat.
• Clean: Clean up after yourself. Do not throw anything
into the bowl. Remember to flush. Wipe off any stains from
the bowl. Wash your hands with soap after using the toilet.
• Maintain: Inform your teacher if supplies are missing,
lacking or if something is broken.
Solid Waste Management
Solid waste should be properly
managed to eliminate health and
safety hazards to learners. The
practice of segregation at source is
the key step towards effective solid
waste management.
The Philippine Republic Act 9003
(Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act of 2000) mandates proper solid
waste management practices for all
entities and individuals.
Proper waste segregation involves sorting out garbage into separate
containers:
• Recyclable items can be sold.
• Waste from the kitchen and the garden can be made into compost.
• Remaining garbage (called “residual waste”) can be collected by government
service providers and sent to sanitary landfills or appropriate disposal facility.
Compostable Wastes Recyclable Waste Special Waste Residual Waste
• Biodegradable • Any waste • Hazardous • Solid wastes
wastes from that is free of waste which that cannot
food, gardens contamination requires safe be composted
and animals. and can still handling or recycled.
In schools: be converted and storage, These require
mainly leftover for suitable and special technologies
foods, fruit beneficial use. treatment. and facilities for
and vegetable In schools: In Schools: management
peelings and used paper, not regularly and disposal.
trimmings plastic generated, In schools:
from food containers may include used sanitary
preparation, with paints and pads, worn out
fallen parts of recyclable thinners, worn- rags, cartons
plants and trees. markings, out furniture, with plastic
metals, non-functioning liners used for
discarded electrical packaging food
glass. supplies and and beverages.
equipment.
Waste Avoidance and the 3R’s of Solid Waste Management
• Avoidance:
99 Buy only things you need and avoid items with heavy packaging.
99 Avoid disposable goods such as throwaway razors, pens, diapers, etc.
99 Do not mix strong chemicals or toxic waste with regular garbage.
99 Avoid products that are made from non-renewable resources.
• Reduce:
99 Find creative ways to re-use things and have broken items fixed.
99 Reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging.
99 Use alternatives to products with hazardous of toxic content.
• Re-use:
99 Consider reusable products.
99 Maintain and repair durable products.
99 Re-use bags and containers and other items.
99 Borrow, rent or share items used infrequently.
99 Sell or donate goods instead of throwing them out.
• Recycle:
99 Choose recyclable products and containers and recycle them.
99 Select products made from recyclable materials.
99 Compost yard trimmings, food scraps and other biodegradable wastes.
REFERENCES:
Department of Education. (2018). Sanitation – How to reach the stars. Philippines.
Save the Children. (n.d.) The School Health and Nutrition Health Education Manual.
WHO. (2018). Sanitation. Retrieved from [Link]
