TODDLERS in some basic schools across the island are still using pit latrines to relieve themselves on a daily basis. While no recent surveys have been done Public Health officials say that the schools are spread islandwide with heavy concentration in rural parts of the island.In some instances the situation is compounded by the fact that the classrooms themselves are overcrowded and there is no piped water. As a result some students as young as three years old are forced to use the latrines and then wash with water from metal drums or water buckets.
But this practice carries risks of infection by water borne diseases for the children says one health inspector, unless the water is changed regularly and hygienic conditions are maintained. However, he says, to date the reports of accidents related to a pit latrine situation are "almost nil as it relates to basic schools."
A pit latrine which is not sealed (open pit) is dangerous to the underground water carriage system. In this instance, experts say, it would be in "direct access to faeces, and is open to pets, flies and rodents. Many have the problem of unpleasant odour which is also a health hazard."
The Red Hills Basic School in St. Andrew recently closed the two latrines it had operated as the number of students grew and it installed more modern facilities. But principal of the institution, Sharon Young, said that the school had never had a problem with its sanitation as a result of the latrines.
"Even before they were closed the children were afraid to use them. Someone had to come with them, stand up outside and wait until they were finished," she said.
Another basic school in Cyprus Hall, a small rural community in St. Andrew was, however, said to be still using their conveniences.
Public Health Inspector, Dr. Herb Elliot explains, however, that the number of pit latrines has its roots in an early proliferation of basic schools across the island. Many of them were set up without modern conveniences.
"The fact is that yes, there are a number of schools including basic schools in many areas which are still using pit latrines.
"At one point in time it seemed as if everybody was setting up a basic school so you find that a lot of them were unregulated because they were built before the Public Health Department came into the picture. Now we are working alongside the Members of Parliament for the areas, the Health Ministry and Ministry of Education to correct the problem."
A release from the Ministry of Health said, "Some schools especially in deep rural areas have pit latrines, often because the water supply is not enough to facilitate water closets. Inspection of these latrines would give consideration to the health and safety of users including; soundness of the foundation and the floor, soundness of the riser, which must be coverable and does not allow for breeding of flies and other rodents. The toilet should also allow for the privacy of the users and generally conform to standards in terms of building and operation."
Ministry of Education spoke-sperson, Edwin Thomas explained too that the more crucial problem of pit latrine use within the schools would have been whether the structures themselves were safe.
"The pit is simply the method by which the waste is collected and disposed. The construction, however, is what is important."
Mr. Thomas said that while schools would not have been closed for having the latrines in place, in the event of a structure being in an unsafe condition then it could be closed for that reason.
Recent figures from the Planning Institute of Jamaica show that on average 9,514 students or 7 per cent attend 'unrecognised' or unregulated basic schools. These are schools which have not satisfied the requisite standards of the Ministry of Education relating to physical infrastructure and teacher quality.
- G.A.
