CAUSES OF POOR SANITARY CONDITION IN SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to find out the causes of poor sanitary condition in some selected secondary schools in Egor local government area of Edo state and suggest possible solution to such poor sanitary condition. The population for the study consisted of pupils in some selected secondary schools in Egor local government area of Edo state. Data is presented and analyzed using simple percentage. Data were collected by mean of questionnaire, the response to and questionnaire revealed the following finds. That there are poor toilet facilities in the schools. That the school have inadequate water supply. That the school means of refuse disposal is inadequate. That there are bushy plots around the school compound. That most of the secondary school have no health teacher. The researcher made some recommendation to the school in order to promote the health standard in the secondary in the secondary schools in Egor local government area. It is my ardent hope that the recommendation made will be implemented by the relevant authorities concerned.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Sanitation is the keeping of the environment clean. It can be at home, in the school in the place of work or in the market. Sanitation according to the oxford advance dictionary (2007) define sanitation as the equipment and system that keep places clean, especially by removing human waste: disease resulting from poor sanitation.

Laoye (1976) the importance of sanitation to any community or schools can not be over emphasized. It is away of controlling disease and disposal of refuse I the proper way. From the early time, man has made attempt to environment, but himself has also made the environment a greater threat to his health and life. Government and individual on their own have tried to improve the environmental sanitation, but this has given them a lot of problem to content with.

Infact, the cities are filled up with filthy materials while the rubbish and garbage in the dustbin are not cleared on time. This makes the environment so dirty that people who find themselves living in those areas caught in a web. There are poor storage facilities, inefficient collection and removal from our homes and schools to the depot e.t.c. this has resulted in various health hazards such as air pollution, water pollution and land pollution.

The sanitary condition of environment has become an issue of serious concern to Nigerians, especially with migration of people from rural to urban centre. The problem of environmental sanitation is essentially that of the individuals or family but without the government interference, there is bond to be indiscriminate dumping of refuse in our street, roads and open spaces.

Environmental sanitation (health) has been defined by the world health organization (1973), as the control of all factors in man’s physical development, “health and man” physical development health surreal.

So foluwa (1976) in his contribution to the problem of environmental sanitation, view it as it applies to the environment. He contends that research as revealed that health education seeks to enlighten the maintenance of health. He stressed further that the task force on environmental sanitation should be directed to all categories of people in the rural and urban centre. That is the labourers, market women as well as the professionals.

James (1978), advocated for the right attitude towards health practice. The situation in the school he emphasized should have adequate classrooms, spacious enough to accommodate a good number of students. Health hazard in the environment may constitute fatigue and strains which are against good health. A classical example is uwelu secondary schools were there is poor waste collection, inadequate water supply, poor citing of sewage disposal. This can affect the student psychological. It against this background, that the researcher felt the need to investigate the causes of poor sanitary condition in secondary schools, so as to find a lasting solution to those problems.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The causes of poor sanitary condition has been a major problem in some selected secondary schools in Egor local government area in Edo state. And this include irregular payment of salary to the cleaner, when the toilet is not wash regularly, inadequate refuse disposal and when the bush are not cleared.

Firstly irregular payment of salary to the cleaner is one of the major problem whereby the person in change of the cleaning are not payed, he or she can lead to poor sanitary condition where by the environment become filthy.

Secondly. When the toilet is not wash regularly it can also lead to poor sanitary condition whereby the toilet is not washed daily and flies will be patching on it and this can lead to toilet infection.

Thirdly, inadequate refuse disposal is one of the major problem where by the school do not provide dustbin for refuse dump. It can also lead to poor sanitary condition.

Fourthly when the bushes are not cleared on time it can also lead to poor sanitary condition whereby the bush can attract snake to the school premises.

This has lead to the study of the causes and effect and possible solution to poor sanitary condition problems in Egor local government area of Edo state.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to determine the causes of poor sanitary condition in some selected secondary school in Egor local government area of Edo state.

1. To investigate the causes of poor sanitary condition in secondary schools in Egor local government area.
2. To promote the development and proper use of health services.
3. To highlight preventive measure in environmental hygiene.
4. To make suggestion on how the health standard in secondary schools in Egor local government will be improved upon.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study shall throw more light on the relevance of sanitation to the schools and community, with a view of finding possible way that will be used in improving the health status, standard and condition reached and maintain by the people. This shall explain more on the causes of poor sanitary condition in some selected secondary school in Egor local government area of Edo stare.

Also this project shall serve as a useful material for school administration on knowing the causes of poor sanitary condition and the possible solution to the causes of sanitary condition.

This study shall also serve as a useful material for the government on resolving the causes of poor sanitary condition.

Finally, this study shall be of great relevance to the tertiary instution student and general public.

RESEARCH QUESTION

1. Is there a regular and adequate refuse disposal in your school?
2. Is there a regular water supply to the school?
3. Are there under developed plots around your school?
4. Are the toilet facilities in your school very poor?
5. Is the school compound flooded during the rainy season?

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is intended to be carried out with particular reference to some selected secondary schools in Egor local government area. The following schools are:

1.   Uwelu secondary school

2.   Army day senior secondary school

3.   Golden touch secondary school

4.   Hilltop secondary school.

ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY

The researcher assumed that

1. Most of the schools have no proper disposal of refuse.
2. Most of the classroom are over crowed
3. The school have poor site of sewage disposal
4. The schools have poor drainage system.