In all Moldova’s schools, there are children who cannot wash their hands immediately after they go to the toilet for the simple reason that these are situated in courts. Such toilets are usually not outfitted with washstands, hot water and soap. The NGO Amnesty International Moldova ascertains an alarming situation, saying the rights to health and intimacy of thousands of students re violated, IPN reports.
A video posted by Amnesty International Moldova on the occasion of Global Handwashing Day that is celebrated on October 15 says that proper education necessitates optimal hygiene conditions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today, thousands of students in the Republic of Moldova have to use outhouses in any weather. These students do not have access to toilet paper and soap. Nowadays, in hundreds of schools all over the country, there are no hand dryers, drinking water or simply a toilet with doors and separating walls for enjoying intimacy. The toilets do not have illumination or heat in winter, washstands or water for washing the hands. They are badly maintained and are very seldom cleaned. Furthermore, these toilets pollute the environment! Even in 2021, day by day the rights to health and intimacy of thousands of students are violated!” says the video posted by Amnesty International Moldova.
Such a situation is typical of the secondary school in Sirota village of Orhei district, which is situated 57 km from Chisinau. The school’s administration said the local authorities plan to build a toilet inside the school next year.
The same is true about the secondary school in Brăila village of Chisinau municipality, whose toilet is also situated outside. “The most awful thing is that the toilet hole is so large that a person can easily slip inside it”.
Amnesty International Moldova calls on the authorities to institute a national program to set up sanitary facilities inside schools by planning and allocating financial resources in the 2022 state budget.
IPN tried to discuss the issue with functionaries of the Ministry of Education and Research, but no one answered the phone.
