71% of schools lack adequate toilets: BBS survey

As many as 71.4% of schools in Bangladesh do not have at least one improved toilet for every 50 students, posing serious risks to health, hygiene and overall learning conditions, according to a latest survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The findings show that only 28.6% of schools meet the internationally recommended minimum standard of one improved toilet per 50 students. 

The situation is further aggravated by weak human waste management practices, with only 33.9% of schools and 45.4% of healthcare facilities safely managing excreta, raising concerns over environmental pollution and disease transmission.

These findings were revealed in the "WASH in Education and Healthcare Facilities Survey 2024", released at a programme held at the Statistics Building in Agargaon, Dhaka today (21 December).

The event was chaired by BBS Director General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, while Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division Aleya Akter attended as the chief guest. 

According to BBS, the survey collected data from all eight divisions and 64 districts, covering government and private primary and secondary schools as well as a wide range of healthcare facilities. 

Samples were selected following Watson's formula to ensure representativeness, and fieldwork was conducted between 26 June and 17 July 2024.

Despite significant gaps in sanitation, access to improved water sources appears relatively high. 

The survey found that 95.4% of schools and 87.5% of healthcare facilities have access to improved water sources. 

However, when measured against the definition of basic water service – which requires the improved water source to be located within the premises – the proportion of compliant institutions drops notably. 

Only 86.1% of schools and 70.5% of healthcare facilities meet this criterion.

Accessibility for persons with disabilities remains limited. Just 55.4% of schools have disability-friendly access to improved water points, while the figure is even lower in healthcare facilities at 40.9%.

The report also highlights serious financial constraints. Only 11.1% of schools and 34.9% of healthcare facilities have a dedicated budget allocation for WASH. 

BBS noted that financial provision for the maintenance of improved water sources is extremely limited, putting the sustainability of existing systems at risk.

Although 90.6% of schools and 98.5% of healthcare facilities have at least one toilet, the quality, adequacy and usability of these facilities vary widely. 

Handwashing facilities are present in most institutions, but many lack water and soap. 

As a result, only 51.7% of schools and a mere 5% of healthcare facilities meet the standard for basic handwashing services, undermining effective hygiene practices and infection prevention and control.

The survey also points to severe shortcomings in menstrual health management. 

Only 20.7% of schools have separate, safe and hygienic toilets for adolescent girls, while just 6.9% provide basic menstrual hygiene services. Such deficiencies contribute to student absenteeism, discomfort and the persistence of gender-based disparities in education.

Waste management practices also show a worrying picture. While 78.3% of schools reported having appropriate solid waste disposal systems, only 25.4% of healthcare facilities meet the basic standards for medical waste management. These standards require the safe segregation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. 

Alarmingly, 41.6% of healthcare facilities rely on open burning of waste, posing serious risks to the environment and public health and underscoring the need for improved infrastructure and safer disposal systems.

The survey further reveals that WASH systems in both sectors are poorly equipped to withstand natural disasters. Over the past 12 months, 24% of schools and 19.4% of healthcare facilities were affected by natural disasters, often resulting in direct damage to water and sanitation infrastructure.

Despite this vulnerability, awareness and implementation of climate-resilient WASH measures remain very low. 

Only 33.7% of schools and 9.9% of healthcare facilities reported being aware of protective measures, and an even smaller proportion have actually implemented them. 

This gap leaves institutions at continued risk of service disruption and weakens their capacity to cope with future climate-related shocks.

BBS cautioned that without increased investment, improved planning and stronger emphasis on climate-resilient and inclusive WASH systems, basic water, sanitation and hygiene services in schools and healthcare facilities will remain inadequate, with far-reaching implications for public health, education and environmental sustainability.