Students want clean toilets, poll findsn

Directorgeneral Dr Narongsak Angkasuwapla said the survey of 418 students aged

seven to 19 found that toilets topped the list of school environmental problems they

wanted to be improved. That was the priority of 73 per cent of respondents,

followed by drinking water.

Most students wanted their dream toilets to be clean, smellfree and beautifully

decorated - and preferably with seated flush toilets instead of the traditional squat

type.

Some 46 per cent of stu¬dents said school toilets were dirty, 40 per cent said there

were insufficient toilets and 14 per cent said the toilets were not safe.

In the past academic year, 67 per cent had held their bladders because there were

not enough toilets, they did not want to use dirty toilets, or the toilets had no

water.

"The consequence of avoid¬ing school toilets and waiting to get home is that many

stu¬dents suffer cystitis, especial¬ly girls, whose urinary tracks are shorter than

boys' and thus prone to infection," Narongsak added.

Following a good response to its campaign for clean and safe toilets in restaurants

and gas stations, the department will focus on a campaign for clean toilets at

schools and national parks, he said.

He urged local administra¬tion organisations and wealthy people to support the

campaign.