The impact of the construction of more sanitation facilities on the privacy and dignity of learners in schools in Uganda
"One day, I knocked on the door urgently needing to use the toilet and shouted for the person inside to hurry up. To my shock, a female teacher came out, attempting to compose herself. I didn’t know what to do but enter and use the facility. Such situations have caused problems for us pupils, and untold embarrassment to the teachers," recounts Johnson Mutebe.
Indeed, both teachers and learners require the privacy of separate toilets. Yet, the need for privacy for both pupils and teachers is frequently disregarded within the school environment, especially concerning the use of sanitation facilities or latrines. This issue is particularly noticeable in schools where shared sanitation facilities are utilized by students, teachers, parents, and other visitors.
Like in a number of schools across Uganda, at Ikumbya Catholic Primary School, the issue of lack of privacy was prevalent due to the presence of a single 5-stance pit latrine block that was used by pupils, teachers, and even parents during school meetings. To add salt to injury, this latrine block lacked separation between female and male users, resulting in all genders using the same stances.
Cognizant of this gap that dehumanizes and embarrasses learners and teachers alike, Water For People allocated resources to construct proper sanitation facilities for both boys and girls. The school received two separate latrine blocks: one for boys and another for girls of 5 stances each including a stall for persons with disabilities, a washroom, and a menstrual incinerator for girls, along with a urinal for boys.
Both boys and girls now have the freedom to use these sanitation facilities without concern about others ‘watching’ them. For instance, boys can use the urinal without worrying about being interrupted by a girl or a female teacher.
The urinal designed as part of the new latrine block for boys.
"The poor sanitation in our school not only led to privacy issues due to the limited and shared facilities but also contributed to low student retention. With the new separate blocks for boys and girls, we’ve seen our enrollment rise from 270 to over 700 pupils. The increased privacy and dignity provided by these facilities have made a significant impact. Our female students, in particular, benefit greatly from the menstrual hygiene management amenities, including an incinerator and a private washroom. This has boosted their confidence and ensured they can attend school regularly and comfortably. We are immensely grateful to Water For People for addressing these critical needs and transforming our school environment."
Mayega Richard – Deputy Headteacher Ikumbya Catholic Primary School
Additionally, the initiative has provided enhanced privacy for girls, particularly in managing menstrual hygiene. In addition to the provision of a menstrual incinerator for safe disposal, a washroom has been constructed specifically for girls to manage their hygiene during menstruation in a private and dignified manner.
According to Alice Magoba, a pupil at Ikumbya Catholic Primary School, the lack of privacy during her menstrual period was always a huge cause of shame and embarrassment. "Changing my sanitary towel in the restroom was difficult for me because I feared that a boy might hear me opening the pad and wait outside to tease me."
These aspects of privacy, are vital for both boys and girls, as well as teachers and other stakeholders, and should be integral considerations when planning sanitation facilities. School administrators should prioritize privacy for their learners by establishing dedicated stalls or blocks for different genders and individuals within their schools. As results have shown elsewhere, it is envisaged that sooner than later, Ikumbya Catholic Primary School shall start registering less absenteeism and school dropouts, especially for girls, and consequently produce better academic grades, thanks to the construction of more sanitation facilities.