By Abdulkareem Haruna

NGOMARI-GANA (tHT): Plan International (PI) has constructed an inclusive latrine at Ngomari Gana Primary School in Borno state, Nigeria, comprising gender-segregated lavatories for boys and girls, and a special one for persons with disabilities. The completed project was handed over to the Borno state government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) on Friday.

Jessie Mamza, the program coordinator for PI, noted that the toilets were constructed following a need analysis conducted in the school. Ngomari Gana Primary School is one of five schools where PI has been carrying out similar interventions around Borno state. The toilets were fitted with solar-powered water sources to ensure proper and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

The Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Professor Bulama Kagu, who commissioned and received the facility at a brief ceremony at Ngomari Gana primary school, praised PI for promoting learning in the school and promised effective monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the project.

The head teacher of Ngomari Gana Primary School, Fatsuma Alhaji-Gana Wudiri, expressed her gratitude to Plan International for its unwavering support and kindness to the school. She acknowledged that without Plan International, the school would barely exist, as the organization has carried out numerous projects in the school over the years, including the latest inclusive latrine.

Hand washing points near the gender-segregated toilets

The Head Teacher noted that the new latrine facility addresses the challenges of girl child education, as the lack of gender-segregated toilets and water usually hinders girls from attending school or even dropping out. She emphasized that the new facility will serve as a boost for the girls in the school, ensuring that they have access to clean and safe toilets, which is crucial for their health and education.

Ms Fatsuma also pledged to ensure the proper maintenance of the toilets, and she called on the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) and the community to be fully involved in the sustainable supervision and care of the toilets.

Plan International has been working in Nigeria since 2014, providing education, health, and protection services to vulnerable children in conflict-affected areas.

The construction of the new inclusive latrine at Ngomari Gana Primary School is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in education and ensuring that all children, including those with disabilities, have access to safe and healthy learning environments.

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