7,500 students and teachers in Quang Tri have new standard toilets.

After many years of having to endure makeshift, dilapidated toilets, thousands of students in Quang Tri now have access to new sanitation facilities that meet the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training.

The "nightmare" of school toilets.

During recess on October 13th, Hung Trach No. 2 Secondary School echoed with laughter. Many groups gathered at the newly completed restrooms to decorate the grounds, sweep, and instruct each other on proper usage and handwashing procedures, preparing for the inauguration ceremony of the new facility organized by the Hope Foundation, with funding from Opella Vietnam and the Enterogermina probiotic supplement brand.

Mr. Luong Dang Khoi, a science teacher with 21 years of experience at the school, recounted: "Previously, this building was a nightmare for both teachers and students at Hung Trach No. 2 Secondary School. The roof was dilapidated, the walls were peeling, the floor was dirty, and the smell was foul, making its use a challenge. Students and teachers had to share the space, while the building was too old and no longer hygienic or safe. During the rainy season, the roof leaked, water flooded in, the building was submerged, and mud covered everything."

The condition of the toilets at Hung Trach No. 2 Junior High School before reconstruction. Photo: Hope Foundation

Nguyen Hoang Xuyen Chi, a 7th-grade student, said that she used to have to queue to wait for her turn, but when she went in, she found the restrooms dirty and smelly, so she often held it in and waited until she got home. Many days, she couldn't concentrate in class because she needed to use the restroom. "If we have to go to the restroom, we have to find a way to get out as quickly as possible to avoid the smell and flies; let alone washing our hands," Xuyen Chi said.

The roof of the old toilet is tattered and leaking. Photo: Hope Foundation.

Big changes from small projects.

Having spent 30 years teaching and managing in various schools, the principal of Hung Trach No. 2 Secondary School, Mr. Tran Thanh Linh, understands the students' fear of using restrooms. However, the school is almost unable to mobilize social resources to build restrooms due to the difficult living conditions of the local people.

The new restrooms for teachers and students at Hung Trach Secondary School. Photo: Tung Dinh

The concerns were somewhat alleviated when, in May, Hung Trach No. 2 Secondary School became one of 21 schools to begin construction of toilets and bathrooms as part of the School Hygiene Project implemented by the Hope Foundation in Quang Binh (formerly), with funding from Opella Vietnam and the Enterogermina probiotic supplement brand. The project has a total budget of over 4.95 billion VND, of which over 4.2 billion VND was contributed by sponsoring organizations, and the remainder was provided by the local government.

The facilities are designed and built according to the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training , ensuring separate areas for students and teachers, with access to clean water, drainage systems, and natural light. Beyond construction, the project also aims to change students' awareness and hygiene behaviors through practical activities, events, and educational materials specifically designed for teachers and students.

Joy was evident on the faces of the students on the day of the inauguration of the new restrooms. Photo: Tung Dinh

Mr. Nguyen Hai Luong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bo Trach commune, assessed this as a practical project with significant community health benefits. "Previously, no unit surveyed or invested in this area because it is isolated and often cut off during the rainy season. Now that the project has arrived, it not only provides children with a safe place to use the toilet but also changes parents' awareness of personal and environmental hygiene," he said.

On the day the construction was completed, the inauguration ceremony took place amidst the joy of the teachers and students. Xuyen Chi and her friends no longer had to queue to wait for their turn. After using the restroom, they returned to wash their hands following the procedure shared by their teachers and the instructions posted on the wall.

“Now the school restrooms are as comfortable and clean as the ones at home, and we no longer fear the dirt and smells we used to. I also know how to wash my hands properly in 30 seconds, using six steps, and I've shared that with my friends and family,” Xuyen Chi shared.

Thanks to the support of the Hope Foundation, Opella Vietnam, and the Enterogermina brand, two schools in Gia Hung and Thanh Binh villages now have two six-compartment toilet facilities that meet the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training, serving more than 600 students. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van, Principal of Hung Trach No. 4 Primary School, said that the schools had previously lacked adequate facilities, with many dilapidated and unusable structures. After receiving the new toilets, the school implemented specific regulations to encourage students to maintain shared property, such as refraining from graffiti, conserving water, and disposing of waste properly. The school also integrated school hygiene education into flag-raising ceremonies and class activities to help students remember and develop good habits.

Bich Dao

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/7-500-hoc-sinh-va-giao-vien-quang-tri-co-nha-ve-sinh-moi-dat-chuan-2456777.html