DIRTY LUSAKA SCHOOLS EXPOSED

LINDA SOKO TEMBO writes

@SunZambian

ABOUT 15 schools in Lusaka have been found with offenses relating to insanitary conditions such as dirty toilets, inadequate pit latrines, overcrowding in classrooms and the use of contaminated water.

This was discovered during the last two inspections that was carried out in 85 schools by the Lusaka City Council (LCC) under the Public Health Department.

The inspections were aimed at promoting proper hygiene practices among school going children in order to curb diseases such as cholera during this rainy season. 

LCC public relations officer, Alice Chilufya said about 30 schools were found satisfactory, 40 warned, and 15 did not match to the standards required. 

Ms Chilufya said that the council also discovered that in some schools teachers were found operating without being medically examined as stipulated under the Day and Nursery Act Cap 313 of the Laws of Zambia. 

She further said that some schools were found operating in dirty canteens, which fell under the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303, was also an issue that was brought to light during those inspections.

“LCC under the Public Health Department is set to commence phase three of the routine inspections for compliance levels in various schools of Lusaka,

“We therefore wish to urge all schools to cooperate with our health inspectors once they begin the exercise. The local authority will not hesitate to close down any schools that will be found wanting,” she said.

Ms Chilufya said public health inspectors would be on the ground to check on sanitary facilities, poor ventilation in classrooms, separation and management of waste and lack of medical equipment, among others.