PERCEPTIVE ASSESSMENT OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE AMENITIES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OWNED-SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BENIN METROPOLIS, SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

The provision of safe water supplies and sanitation amenities in schools is a necessity in attaining a
healthy learning setting. The aim of this study was to determine the perception of consenting students and teaching staff with respect to the state and availability of the water and sanitary facilities in four
secondary schools located in Benin city. A pre-tested structured water, sanitation and hygiene status
questionnaire was administered to 200 consenting respondents. Duplicate water samples were collected
from the schools and pH and nitrate parameters were determined using relevant procedures. The mean
pH and nitrate values for samples ranged from 4.71 + 0.1 - 5.35 + 0.2 and 1.13 + 0.2 mg/l - 2.41 + 0.1 mg/l
respectively (School A), 4.56 + 0.3 – 5.68 + 0.1 and 0.81 + 0.1 – 1.79 + 0.2mg/l respectively (School B),
6.22 + 0.4 – 7.57 + 0.1 and 1.27 + 0.2 – 1.56 + 0.2 mg/l respectively (School C) and 7.30 + 0.2 – 7.50 + 0.1
and 0.82 + 0.1 – 1.78 + 0.1 mg/l respectively (School D). The respondents (52.5%) opined the
availability of separate toilets for both males and females with 47.5 % stating otherwise. Aproportion of
52.5% respondent indicated the non-availability of dedicated personnel responsible for cleaning of the
toilets while a lower number of participants (47.5%) opined otherwise. The respective school
management should be financially empowered by the owners to employ dedicated personnel to maintainthe toilet facilities in the schools and adequate provision of menstrual health management amenities inthese institutions.