In an effort to address the challenge of sanitation, Domestos accompanied by Metro FM DJ Glen Lewis spent their day at St Peter Claver Primary School in Pimville on Thursday.
The visit was a follow-up from last year’s commemoration of World Toilets Day where Domestos handed over newly refurbished toilets to the school.
South Africa has 24 000 public schools but only 8000 of them have flushing toilets. These are worrying statistics considering the fact that the majority of children in this country attend public schools.
Lack of sanitation at schools has ripple effects on the teaching and learning the process as pupils sometimes avoid going to the toilet which leads to poor concentration in class.
The outbreak of illnesses such as diarrhea at schools is associated with poor sanitation facilities as well.
“Across the globe over 500 000 children die every year from diarrhea which is obviously as a result of poor sanitation and spread of germs.
“Domestos is leading the fight against poor sanitation by making sure that we give over 2 million children in South Africa access to improved sanitation by 2020,” said Nobuhle Ngubane, assistant brand manager for Domestos.
The situation has changed for the better at St Peter Claver since the refurbishment of toilets in November last year.
Pupils are now more comfortable using the toilet and they don’t have to worry about contracting any illnesses.
Ngubane said, “Today we doing a review of how the new toilets have impacted the learning environment and how have they improved the lives of the pupils.”
Pupils are not only happy to have clean and hygienic toilets but they love the new loot too, according to the principal Maureen Phati.
“The importance of having clean toilets in a school is that I get to be sure that pupils are free from infections like diarrhea.
“Pupils love the new look and they assist in making sure that they are always clean and kept in good conditions,” said the principal.
The day was all about preaching cleanliness and raising awareness about the importance of proper sanitation not only at St Peter Claver but at schools in general.
Lewis who took time off from his busy radio schedule to interact with pupils said it is very important government and private sectors to work together and improve sanitation at schools.
“It would be nice and cool to have government and other companies come on board and build more toilets. It is unacceptable to have pupils using pit toilets at school in this day and age,” said Lewis.
