Lack of hygiene and sanitation infrastructure

The inadequacy and poor management of hygiene and sanitation infrastructures in secondary schools on the Filingué-Wadata route often create health threats for pupils and can also indirectly affect their schooling. The aim of this study is to address the problem of inadequate sanitation and its impact on student enrolment in these Niamey secondary schools. Based on empirical field data (interviews with administrative managers and surveys of pupils) it presents the factors limiting the accessibility and proper functioning of these hygiene and sanitation facilities. In fact the inadequacy of hygiene infrastructures coupled with poor management and unsanitary conditions in the school environment are turning these schools into unhealthy territories exposing pupils to hygienic diseases. Of the 72 latrines counted in the 8 secondary schools in the district only 22 are in partial working order for a total of 6833 pupils i.e. one latrine for every 311 pupils.