Good sanitation in schools helps to improve education outcomes

Dilapidated latrines at a school in Lurambi constituency. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

When parents are scouting options on which school is right for their children, the state of the school toilets as well as other hygiene facilities is just as important as the academic performance of the institution. This is because children's safety from all harm, including that caused by poor hygiene, is a parent's primary responsibility.

Lack of adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, and their poor management puts children at risk and decrease their opportunities to be safe, healthy, and thrive. In Kenya, according to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), only half the schools have basic sanitation facilities.