By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Team Lead of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network (WASHNET), Musa Ansumana Soko, has raised serious concerns about the state of sanitation in schools across Sierra Leone, warning that over 400,000 school-going children are at risk due to inadequate facilities.
Speaking on Liberty Online platforms past Tuesday, Mr. Soko disclosed that more than 21 percent of schools in the country lack access to sufficient water supply and adequate sanitation. He described the situation as alarming, stressing that such conditions create an unconducive learning environment for pupils and could have long-term implications on their health, safety, and educational outcomes.
“It is a serious concern to have overwhelming sanitation issues across educational institutions,” Mr. Soko said. “The absence of clean water and proper facilities does not only affect learning but also undermines the well-being of children, especially as the new academic year approaches.”
According to WASHNET’s findings, the lack of basic sanitation in schools disproportionately affects girls, particularly during menstruation, as many are forced to miss classes due to the absence of private and hygienic facilities. The group believes that addressing such gaps is critical to achieving inclusive and equitable education in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Soko called on the government, development partners, and community stakeholders to prioritise school sanitation ahead of the 2025/2026 academic year, noting that while progress has been made in expanding access to education, the absence of proper water and sanitation services continues to hinder learning outcomes.
“Investing in school WASH is investing in the future of our children,” he emphasised. “Without clean and safe environments, the quality of education will always be compromised. We urge the government to step up interventions and commit more resources to improve facilities in schools nationwide.”
WASHNET further highlighted that the lack of clean water and functional toilets in schools increases the risk of communicable diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid, which remain major public health concerns. Poor hygiene practices resulting from inadequate facilities also undermine children’s dignity and comfort while at school.
Education stakeholders and civil society organisations have echoed similar calls in recent years, pressing for school sanitation to be treated as a national priority. They argue that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education) cannot be realised without significant investment in WASH infrastructure in schools.
As the new school year draws near, parents and community leaders are also voicing concerns. Many believe that children deserve safe, clean, and dignified environments that support learning and protect their health. Calls have been made for both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to collaborate more closely in addressing the problem.
For WASHNET, the message is clear: the time to act is now. The network insists that providing clean water, safe toilets, and proper hygiene education in schools is not a privilege but a fundamental right.
With over 400,000 children at risk, the organisation hopes its advocacy will galvanise urgent action to ensure that schools across Sierra Leone open their doors this academic year with improved water and sanitation services in place.
