A STUDY ON THE SITUATION OF TOILET SANITATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS OF PASIGHAT BLOCK, EAST SIANG DISTRICT, ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Authors

  • Enu Sambyal Associate Professor, Dr., Department of Education Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, India
  • Ratan Sarkar Assistant Professor, Dr., Department of Education, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tezpur University (A Central University), Assam, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i7.6816

Keywords:

toilet sanitation, secondary schools, student health, academic performance, Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

This study investigated the situation of toilet sanitation and its effects on secondary school students in Pasighat Block, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh. Utilizing a descriptive survey method with both quantitative and qualitative approaches, data was collected from 5 selected Government Secondary Schools through questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations. A Pearson correlation analysis (n = 218) revealed a statistically significant, moderate, positive correlation between sanitation conditions and student health (r = 0.397, p < 0.001), strongly suggesting that improved sanitation impacts student health outcomes. A weaker, yet statistically significant, positive correlation was found between sanitation conditions and student academic performance (r = 0.294, p < 0.001), indicating a limited impact of sanitation on academic performance. Furthermore, an independent samples t-test found no statistically significant difference in the perceived impact of toilet sanitation between male (Mean = 3.626) and female (Mean = 3.721) students (p = 0.084). The findings highlight the importance of improved toilet sanitation for student health in Pasighat Block, while suggesting that its influence on academic performance is less pronounced.

Author Biographies

  • Enu Sambyal, Associate Professor, Dr., Department of Education Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, India

    Dr. Enu Sambyal is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Education at Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, India. She holds a PhD in Education, and her primary research interests focus on Educational Psychology, school infrastructure equity, rural educational development, and pedagogical innovations in North-East India.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0850-9522

  • Ratan Sarkar, Assistant Professor, Dr., Department of Education, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tezpur University (A Central University), Assam, India

    Dr. Ratan Sarkar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tezpur University (A Central University), Assam, India. He holds a PhD in Education and specializes in educational statistics, mixed-method educational survey designs, and environmental education policies.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5480-0165

References

Abubakar, I. R. (2023). Evaluating the impact of school water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions on student health and academic outcomes in Nigeria. PLOS One, 18(3).

Adeel, M., & Tariq, S. (2022). The status of water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools of Pakistan: A review of the literature. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 40(4), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-022-00803-8.

Bick, S., Davies, K., Mwamba, M., MacLeod, C., Braun, L., Chipungu, J., & Dreibelbis, R. (2025). WASH and learn: A scoping review of health, education and gender equity outcomes of school-based water, sanitation and hygiene in low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Global Health, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018059

Birdthistle, I., Dickson, K., Freeman, M., & Javidi, L. (2011). What impact does the provision of separate toilets for girls at schools have on their primary and secondary school enrolment, attendance and completion? A systematic review of the evidence. EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London.

Biswas, S., Adhikary, M., Alam, A., Islam, N., & Roy, R. (2024). Disparities in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and the status of SDG-6 implementation across districts and states in India. Heliyon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37646

Chanu, R. (2021). The state of school sanitation and its impact on education: A case study of Manipur. Journal of Public Health and Development, 13(2), 125-136.

Chattopadhyay, A., & Banerjee, P. (2025). Sanitation and academic performance: Evidence from Indian schools. Indian Journal of Education and Social Development, 12(1), 45–62.

Dang, T., & Nguyen, T. (2025). The impact of school sanitation on the health and education of children in Vietnam. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 43(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-025-00900-5

Das, M., & Deka, R. (2021). Menstrual hygiene and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Assam. Journal of Health and Education, 7(2), 89–104.

Deka, B., & Das, S. (2024). The impact of school sanitation on students' self-esteem and confidence in Pasighat Block, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Environmental Health, 85(4), 28-34.

Dewey, J. (1916/2019). Democracy and education: An introduction to the philosophy of education. Free Press. Retrieved from https://nsee.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/KnowledgeCenter/BuildingExpEduc/BooksReports/10.%20democracy%20and%20education%20by%20dewey.pdf

Dibaba, A., Mengistie, B., & Tamiru, D. (2024). Impact of school WASH facilities on adolescent girls’ school attendance and participation in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health, 24, 866. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17866-7

Dickin, S., & Gabrielsson, S. (2023). Inequalities in water, sanitation and hygiene: Challenges and opportunities for measurement and monitoring. Water Security, 20, 100143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasec.2023.100143

Farine, C., Lüthi, C., Niwagaba, C. B., Morgenroth, E., & Narayan, A. S. (2025). Interlinkages and indicators: novel assessment of water, sanitation and solid waste services in schools in two Ugandan towns. Frontiers in Water, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2025.1544779

Government of Arunachal Pradesh, & United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2019). Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) strategy and action plan for Arunachal Pradesh 2019–2024. Department of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/india

Hazarika, P., & Mahanta, R. (2021). School sanitation and hygiene practices in Meghalaya: Implications for health and attendance. Journal of Northeast Education Studies, 9(1), 55–70.

Hossain, S. (2022). The impact of improved sanitation on waterborne diseases among school children in Bangladesh. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 41(1), 1-12.

Jasper, C., Le, T.-T., & Bartram, J. (2012). Water and sanitation in schools: A systematic review of the health and educational outcomes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(8), 2772–2787. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9082772

Joshi, R., & Singh, A. (2024). Toilet facilities and gender disparity in school attendance: A study in Uttarakhand. International Journal of Educational Research, 65(4), 112–125.

Kassa, G., & Worku, D. (2022). The impact of school sanitation on attendance and health of Ethiopian students. African Journal of Public Health, 16(3), 201–214.

Khan, F., (2023). Assessment of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and their association with gastrointestinal infections among school children in Pakistan. BMC, Public Health, 23(1), 1-13.

Kumar, A., Sharma, V., & Yadav, N. (2021). Sanitation and hygiene education: An intervention study in Uttar Pradesh schools. Indian Journal of Health and Education, 15(2), 33–47.

Lepcha, S., & Chettri, N. (2021). Sanitation and education in Sikkim: A study on the impact of school sanitation on students' academic performance. Journal of Public Health and Development, 13(2), 125-136.

McMichael, C. (2019). Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools in low-income countries: A review of evidence of impact. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 359. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030359

Ministry of Jal Shakti. (2021). Annual report 2020–21: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Government of India. https://jalshakti-ddws.gov.in

Narayan, A. S., Marks, S. J., Meierhofer, R., Strande, L., Tilley, E., Zurbrügg, C., et al. (2021). Advancements in and integration of water, sanitation, and solid waste for low- and middle-income countries. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 46, 193–219. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-030620-042304

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2018). The future of education and skills: Education 2030. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/education/2030/

Owusu, K., &Amankwah-Amoah, J. (2024). An examination of the relationship between school facilities and student outcomes in Ghana. Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 14(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.5296/jerps.v14i3.21165

Patel, D. (2023). Correlation between sanitation facilities and student performance in Gujarat schools. Journal of Indian Educational Research, 18(1), 72–89.

Patel, R. (2023). WASH, wellbeing and learning outcomes: Understanding the indirect pathways of sanitation in Indian schools. Education and Urban Society, 55(7), 1123–1142. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131245231101278

Pednekar, S. (2024). Menstrual hygiene management and educational equity: Challenges and strategies in South Asian schools. Children and Youth Services Review, 159, 107541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107541

Rizvi, A., & Qureshi, S. (2024). Water, sanitation and learning outcomes in Pakistan: A school-level analysis. South Asian Journal of Education, 19(2), 150–169.

Sharma, P., & Verma, K. (2024). Public versus private school sanitation in Delhi: A comparative study. Urban Education Review, 11(1), 88–104.

Sharma, R., Sinha, D., & Bhattacharya, S. (2024). Gendered sanitation inequalities and menstrual hygiene management in Indian secondary schools: Implications for educational inclusion. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(9), 13427–13445.

Singh, R., Kumari, P., & Jha, S. (2021). Menstrual hygiene and participation of adolescent girls in Bihar schools. Indian Journal of Social and Educational Development, 13(3), 99–118.

Sommer, M., Ferron, S., Cavill, S., & House, S. (2016). Violence, gender and WASH: Spurring action on a complex, under-documented and sensitive topic. Environment and Urbanization, 27(1), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247814564528

UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379707

UNICEF. (2015). Sanitation in schools: A call to action. UNICEF.

UNICEF. (2016). Raising even more clean hands: Advancing health, learning and equity through WASH in schools. New York: UNICEF. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/reports/raising-even-more-clean-hands

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2015). Rethinking education: Towards a global common good? UNESCO Publishing. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000232555

United Nations. (2010). The human right to water and sanitation (Resolution 64/292). United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/human_right_to_water.shtml

WaterAid. (2012). Sanitation in schools: A neglected priority. WaterAid. Retrieved from https://www.wateraid.org

WaterAid. (2016). Menstrual hygiene management and school attendance in Northeast India: A field study report. WaterAid India.

Wokadala, J., Ogawa, K., Sharma, U., Kizito, O., Mugisha, X., Komunda, N., & Ssewanyana, S. (2019). Impact of the school facilities grant on access and learning achievements in the primary education sector in Uganda (3ie Grantee Final Report). New Delhi, India: International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2023.2270733

World Bank. (2018). WASH and education: The impact of water, sanitation, and hygiene on learning and health outcomes. The World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org

World Bank. (2022). India: Water, sanitation, and hygiene poverty diagnostic—Summary findings for the northeast region. The World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/watersupply

World Health Organization, & United Nations Children’s Fund. (2019). Drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools: Global baseline report 2018. WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP). Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/reports/wash-schools-global-report

World Health Organization. (2023). Sanitation: Key facts. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation

Yadav, V., & Chauhan, R. (2022). Sanitation sustainability in rural schools of Rajasthan: Challenges of maintenance. Journal of Community Health, 18(3), 203–219.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-24

Issue

Section

Articles