A recent survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) shows that 71.4% of schools in Bangladesh do not have at least one improved toilet for every 50 students, raising serious concerns over health, hygiene and the learning environment.
Only 28.6% of schools meet the international standard of one improved toilet per 50 students, according to the findings of the WASH in Education and Healthcare Facilities Survey 2024.
The situation is compounded by weak human waste management practices. Just 33.9% of schools and 45.4% of healthcare facilities manage waste safely, heightening the risks of environmental pollution and the spread of disease.
The survey was released on Sunday at an event in Dhaka, chaired by BBS Director General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, with Aleya Akter, secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, in attendance.
Conducted across all eight divisions and 64 districts, the survey covered government and private primary and secondary schools, along with various healthcare facilities. Fieldwork took place between June 26 and July 17, 2024.
While access to improved water sources appears relatively high—95.4% of schools and 87.5% of healthcare facilities—only 86.1% of schools and 70.5% of healthcare facilities have such sources within their premises.
Accessibility remains a major challenge for persons with disabilities. Only 55.4% of schools and 40.9% of healthcare facilities provide disability-friendly access to improved water points.
Funding constraints further undermine service quality, as just 11.1% of schools and 34.9% of healthcare facilities allocate budgets for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), threatening the maintenance and sustainability of existing facilities.
Although 90.6% of schools and 98.5% of healthcare facilities have at least one toilet, the survey notes wide variations in quality and usability. Handwashing stations are common, but many lack water and soap, leaving only 51.7% of schools and 5% of healthcare facilities meeting basic handwashing standards.
The survey also highlights significant gaps in menstrual health management. Only 20.7% of schools have separate, safe and hygienic toilets for adolescent girls, while a mere 6.9% provide basic menstrual hygiene services—factors that contribute to absenteeism and gender disparities in education.
Waste management in healthcare facilities is particularly alarming. While 78.3% of schools have appropriate solid waste disposal systems, only 25.4% of healthcare facilities meet basic medical waste management standards. Notably, 41.6% of healthcare facilities resort to open burning of waste, posing serious health and environmental hazards.
Natural disasters further strain WASH systems. Over the past year, 24% of schools and 19.4% of healthcare facilities reported damage from disasters, often affecting water and sanitation infrastructure. Awareness of climate-resilient WASH measures remains low, with only 33.7% of schools and 9.9% of healthcare facilities aware of protective strategies.
The BBS warned that without increased investment and better planning for climate-resilient and inclusive WASH systems, access to essential water, sanitation and hygiene services will remain inadequate, with long-term consequences for public health, education and environmental sustainability.