A recent research study conducted in Oyo State has revealed that inadequate water supply and poor sanitation facilities in many public primary schools are undermining pupils’ health and learning outcomes, while also threatening the state’s progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on clean water and sanitation.
The study, carried out by the Geospatial Research Unit of the Olympus Consciousness Initiative, found that a significant number of public primary schools across the state lack access to safe drinking water and hygienic toilet facilities, exposing children to serious health risks. The findings were presented on Monday in Ibadan by the lead researcher, Oluwaseun Addie.
According to the report, the situation is particularly dire in rural communities, where basic water and sanitation infrastructure is either grossly inadequate or completely absent. Mr Addie disclosed that fewer than 20 per cent of public primary schools in Oyo State have what could be described as adequate sanitation facilities, while access to clean and safe drinking water remains severely limited in most schools.
“We found that fewer than 20 per cent of public primary schools in the state have adequate sanitation facilities, while access to safe drinking water remains severely limited,” he said while presenting the findings.
The study identified wells as the primary source of water for most public primary schools, while pit latrines were found to be the dominant form of toilet facility. However, the report noted that these facilities are often poorly maintained, unhygienic and unsafe for use by young children.
Mr Addie explained that in many schools, toilets are either non functional or in such deplorable conditions that pupils avoid using them altogether. This, he warned, increases the likelihood of open defecation within and around school premises.
“The lack of functional toilets in many schools likely encourages open defecation, which increases exposure to health risks among pupils,” he said.
The report further highlighted significant disparities in access to water and sanitation facilities among urban, semi urban and rural schools. While some schools in urban centres have relatively better infrastructure, those in rural areas were found to be the most underserved, with little or no provision for potable water and hygienic toilets.
Researchers linked the poor state of facilities to the prevalence of water and sanitation related diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and diarrhoea among school children. These illnesses, the report noted, have a direct impact on pupils’ health, school attendance and overall academic performance.
According to the study, frequent illness among pupils often leads to absenteeism, reduced concentration in class and poor learning outcomes, thereby undermining the quality of basic education in the state. In severe cases, children are forced to stay out of school for extended periods, increasing the risk of dropout, especially in vulnerable rural communities.
Mr Addie warned that unless urgent and deliberate action is taken, Oyo State may struggle to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, as well as adequate sanitation and hygiene, by 2030.
“Without urgent intervention, the state will find it difficult to meet SDG 6, which aims to achieve universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030,” he cautioned.
To address the challenges identified in the study, the researchers recommended that the Oyo State Government prioritise the provision of clean, reliable and sustainable water sources in public primary schools. They also called for the construction and rehabilitation of improved sanitation facilities that meet basic health and safety standards.
The report emphasised the importance of installing gender sensitive toilets in schools, noting that the absence of such facilities disproportionately affects female pupils. According to the study, lack of privacy and appropriate sanitation often discourages girls from attending school, particularly during menstruation, thereby affecting their retention and overall educational outcomes.
In addition, the study called for greater involvement of host communities in the maintenance and protection of school water and sanitation facilities. It suggested that community ownership could help ensure sustainability and reduce vandalism and neglect.
The researchers also recommended the introduction of regular hygiene education programmes for both pupils and teachers. Such programmes, they said, would help promote good hygiene practices, reduce the spread of disease and maximise the benefits of improved infrastructure.
“Improving water and sanitation in schools is not just a health issue; it is fundamental to quality education and child development,” Mr Addie said.
The findings have renewed calls for stronger collaboration between government, development partners and local communities to improve basic infrastructure in public schools. Education and public health advocates argue that investing in water and sanitation facilities is essential for safeguarding children’s wellbeing and ensuring that schools provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
The study underscores the urgent need for policy attention and increased funding to address longstanding infrastructure gaps in the state’s basic education sector, particularly in rural areas, where children remain most vulnerable.
