An investigation has revealed that students of C.H. Dewey High School in Bomi County are being forced to use the bush as restroom due to the damaged of the school’s toilet facilities. Several students of C.H. Dewey High School in Bomi County have expressed disappointment and frustration with the school’s administration for failing to address the issue of damaged toilet facilities.
One female student shared her concerns, stating, “We have to go into the bushes to relieve ourselves; it is dangerous for me as a female. I am not aware of what is in the bush,” noting that her privacy and security in the bushes put her and other female students at risk of harassment, assault, and other forms of gender-based violence. The investigation highlighted the urgent need for intervention to address the appalling sanitation conditions at the school. The use of bush restrooms poses serious health risks to the students, including the spread of diseases.
The investigation revealed that the toilet facilities were damaged due to a lack of maintenance and repair over the years. The school’s administration has made no intervention; the damaged toilet facilities have had a negative impact on the students’ health, education, and overall well-being. Many students have fallen ill due to the unsanitary conditions, a female teacher narrated.
“We are forced to use the bush as a restroom, which is very uncomfortable and unhygienic. We are exposed to snakes and other creeping animals,” another student explained. In a telephone conversation, the Principal of C.H. Dewey High School, Alexander P. Doe, confirmed that students are using the bushes as a restroom due to the lack of running water in the toilet facilities.
According to the Principal, many students prefer to use the bushes instead of the toilet facilities because they are messed up and lack running water. This has led to a situation where students are forced to practice open defecation in the bushes. Principal Doe revealed that the central government is not aware of the situation but couldn’t give a reason why the government is not aware of it yet, which has made it difficult for the school to secure funding to address the issue. However, Principal Doe stated that he is currently in conversation with UNIDO to solve the situation of open defecation.
