New Delhi: The Centre has asked the States and Union Territories to create hand washing facilities with the provision of soap, and train teachers to impart hygiene education to students in all the schools across the country, the Education Ministry said on Thursday.
The States/UTs have been asked to fast track the provision of stand-alone piped water supply solutions and simple, sustainable solar solutions, it said .
In a joint advisory issued by the Ministry’s Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Jal Shakti, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, it is mentioned that the rejuvenation of basic infrastructure including improved sanitation facilities and provision of safe drinking water and maintaining the over all cleanliness in the government schools has long been a priority of the government, the Ministry said in a statement.
The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Report 2021-22 suggests some gaps in toilets and hand washing facilities. The Centre has asked states that all these gaps need to be filled by following the saturation approach, it said.
The advisory also mentioned that under Jal Jeevan Mission, making provision of safe tap water supply in schools, anganwadi centres, ashram shalas is a top priority of the government for ensuring good health and wellbeing of our children.
It also mentioned that flexibility has been given to the State/UTs to provide stand-alone piped water supply solutions instead of waiting for the completion of the village water supply infrastructure for the schools and simple sustainable solar solutions may also be provided.
The Centre asked States to fast-track these projects in view of the importance of safe water for the overall health and well-being of our children, the Ministry said.
Any requirement of funds for repair or construction of toilets, hand washing facilities or drinking water may be met from funds being released under 15th Finance commission, State Finance Commission, MGNREGS, District Mineral funds and any other sources, following the extant guidelines of these schemes/sources, it said.
