The Jigawa State Government has said that lack of adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools is a major reason many girls drop out of school.
The state disclosed this during a media and stakeholders’ dialogue on WASH services in schools and primary healthcare centres, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in partnership with UNICEF, following a media tour of selected schools across Jigawa State.
Speaking at the dialogue, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Hauwa Mustapha Babura, said poor sanitation and lack of privacy continue to affect girls’ education in the state.
“WASH is very important to us in Jigawa State, if we truly want children to be retained in school. We don’t want our girls to just survive; we want them to thrive.”
Dr. Babura explained that many girls are forced out of school due to the absence of proper toilet facilities and privacy.
She added that the state is working to address the problem despite challenges with terrain and inherited infrastructure.
“We are doing a lot, but we also inherited a lot. We have just spent two years, give us the next two years, and we will achieve even more,” she said.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Haruna Musa, said the government is aware of the challenges facing basic education, particularly infrastructure and WASH facilities, and is taking steps to fix them.
“We are aware of our challenges and we are working towards fixing them. Learning cannot stop simply because there are no functional toilets in some schools. We will get there,” he said.
Prof. Musa disclosed that the state has 2,727 primary schools and 618 junior secondary schools, bringing the total number of public basic schools to 3,345.
According to him, there are 8,689 toilets across schools in the state.
He added that systems have been put in place for strategic renovation, operation and maintenance of school facilities, with a long-term target set for 2030.
“All hands are on deck. Of course, resources are limited, but education remains a priority for us,” he said.
On her part, UNICEF Advocacy and Risk Communication Specialist, Dr. Sussan Akila, commended Jigawa State for its efforts but raised concerns over national data.
She noted that a 2021 WASH survey showed that only 11 per cent of schools in Nigeria have basic WASH facilities, with Jigawa State recording just 2 per cent.
She warned that poor WASH conditions expose children and women to health risks and affect school enrolment and retention.
She urged the state to strengthen WASH facilities in schools, particularly in rural areas.
