Poor sanitation facilities in colleges cause worry

“We tried to raise this issue before the higher-ups, but little has been done to increase the number of toilets and ensure better sanitation facilities," said a faculty member.

: The growing mismatch between the number of students on the campuses and the corresponding sanitation facilities available has triggered health concerns among the parents. Not just government schools, but the condition of sanitation facilities in colleges and universities run by the government is deplorable.

Students, especially girls, lamented the conditions of toilets at Ernakulam Maharaja’s College.

They also blamed the authorities for not maintaining hygiene in the toilets on a daily basis. Students at the Thuravoor centre of the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit recalled an instance when the lock on the toilet on the campus remained faulty for a long while.

“We had no other option, but to either take the assistance of friends, who would wait outside like guards,” said a student.

Senior faculty members admitted that many campuses lack proper sanitation facilities. “We tried to raise this issue before the higher-ups on several occasions, but little has been done to increase the number of toilets and ensure better sanitation facilities. Erratic water supply and poor maintenance had added to the existing woes,” said a faculty member.

Officials of the Directorate of Collegiate Education blamed the lack of funds for improving the sanitation facilities on the campuses.

But they claimed that proper maintenance of the sanitation facilities was carried out in colleges on a regular basis.

Health professionals warned that students become vulnerable to kidney ailments when they refuse to use the poorly maintained toilets in their schools and colleges.