Teachers’ college operating without toilets

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

Blantyre Teachers’ Training College (BTC) students have expressed concern over the poor sanitary situation at the college and have since appealed to the Ministry of Education to rectify the problem.

But Minister of Education George Chaponda says he is not aware of the problem.

BTC is said to have been operating without running toilets since last year forcing students to share pit latrines at Kapeni Demonstration School some kilometres away from the college.

Others seek refuge from people’s pit latrines outside the college.

Two female students who spoke in confidence early this week revealed that they have been learning under such a situation for a year now and management does not seem to be ready to rectify the problem.

“Some toilets broke down while others blocked. Human waste is just all over releasing an infuriating stench that is enough to stop you from enjoying your favourite meal,” said the students.

Education activists have long contended that toilets and sanitation facilities or lack of them have a bearing on girl education. This is the more reason the female students at Blantyre Teachers’ College seem to be more worried.

“It’s demeaning to have a whole college student let alone a prospective teacher going from house to house asking people to use their pit latrines. Government should do something,” they stressed.

Minister of Education George Chaponda recently said education without proper infrastructure is incomplete and unacceptable.

College principal Misheck Mageregere refused to comment on the issue, but some lecturers blamed him for the chaos.

“With this decentralization, it should not be difficult for us to rectify such problems. We’re given funding for simple projects such as these,” said the lecturers who were equally concerned.

Education public relations officer Lindiwe Chide could not be reached for a comment, but Dr. Chaponda expressed ignorance on the problem.

“I’m not aware of the problem,” was all Chaponda could say before referring this reporter to Chide whose number has been out of reach for the whole week.

But recently, government told the media in Lilongwe that it is stepping up efforts to ensure proper sanitation for all the 5, 600 primary schools in the country, singling out the need to refurbish over 4,000 primary school if efforts to retain pupils in school are to bear fruits.

In the drive, the Ministry of Education said it needs US$36.8 million (about K5.6 billion) to bridge the gap of proper sanitary and hygienic standards in the country.

END