Construction of toilets in State Government schools will now be carried out by private companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, as per the directions issued by Centre in line with its ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign.
Education Minister G. Jagadish Reddy told the Assembly during Question Hour on Friday that modalities would be worked out over the next week after a meeting with representatives of 70 companies next week for construction of toilets in all schools by August next.
The Minister said the till last year, the initiative was taken up under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan and the TS Government had recently approached the Centre for grant of Rs. 337 crore for construction of toilets. Installation of bio-toilets is being actively considered for government schools, after their success in Isnapur of Medak district, he said, in response to the observations by MLA D.K. Aruna on the status of school toilets. Ms. Aruna pointed out that in many schools, toilets remained defunct due to lack of water and maintenance. Toilet doors, faucets and pipes are stolen in many schools due to lack of watchmen, she noted, and strongly suggested for appointment of watchmen and sweepers. Mr. Reddy said the State government has sent proposals to the Centre with regard to funding for maintenance of toilets. He said appointment of Class IV staff such as sweepers and watchmen in schools had been stopped 14 years ago. As of now, over 2,100 schools in the State do not have separate toilets for girls and 4,600 schools do not have water.
