State's 1,164 schools lack separate toilets for girl students !

Legislative Council Question Hour

Mumbai, 26 June – Of the State’s 21,641 secondary and higher secondary schools, as many as 1,164 do not have separate toilets for girl students, ruling party MLAs revealed in the Legislative Council. Despite clear directions from the Supreme Court, administrative apathy has forced girls to pursue their education in an unsafe environment without basic facilities. In the Legislative Council, MLCs Chitra Wagh, Pravin Darekar, Prasad Lad and other members raised a starred question on the issue.

MLC Chitra Wagh said that 3,328 schools across the State do not have a water supply for toilets. At many places, toilets are not cleaned regularly, while broken doors and inadequate security create severe difficulties for girl students. She also asked what action had been taken against those responsible for disregarding the Supreme Court’s directions to provide free sanitary napkins and separate toilet facilities in schools.

Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar said that a survey would be conducted and the required facilities would be provided within the next four to six months to ensure that schools have separate and safe toilets for girls, drinking water, electricity and sanitary pad vending machines, along with other basic amenities. He added that some schools still do not have a library room or toilet facilities for either boys or girls. Funds from the District Planning Committee, along with various government and social funds, would be utilised to create these facilities.