Over 15,000 toilets built in schools across Jammu & Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that 15,387 toilets have been built in schools across the state under Swacch Vidyalaya Abhiyan. “Under Swachh Bharat-Swachh Vidyalaya Programme (SBSVP), all the schools have been provided toilet facilities,” Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi, said in Jammu.

On 15th August 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Swacch Vidyalaya Abhiyan – the Clean Schools Movement – and promised to build separate toilets for boys and girls at schools nationwide within a year. “There was a requirement of construction of 15,387 numbers of toilets in the schools which includes 4,699 making of dysfunctional toilets,” Priya said.

Minister further said that all the 15,387 toilets have been made functional before 15 August. “The schools in J&K are undergoing a silent transformation which will take time to bear fruit. We are committed to provide better facilities to students,” she said. As per Baseline Survey of Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Jammu and Kashmir is among the worst states with poor sanitation.

The report says that out of 20.5 million households in the state more than 54 per cent are without toilets. The survey states that JK is only ahead of Odisa and Bihar. As per a report by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DISE) under Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, out of 23,234 schools in JK, 14,116 schools are without toilet facilities.

The number of schools without toilet facilities for girls are 6,294, while the schools for boys without toilet facilities are 7,822, as per the report. It mentions that schools having dysfunctional girls’ and boys’ toilets are 2,797 and 2,553 respectively. The minister said that other infrastructures with regard to the educational sectors have also been focused seriously.

In this regard, 81 primary schools, 3 upper primary schools, 978 additional classrooms and 52 headmaster rooms constructed till date during 2015-16, Priya said. “Convergence with Rural Development Department is being made to complete the construction of abandoned and not taken up buildings,” she said.