Question on Toilets for children with disability in schools

3901. SHRI V. VIJAYASAI REDDY

Question on Toilets for children with disability in schools

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the percentage of schools with functional toilets for girls and boys, State-wise;
(b) the percentage of schools with functional toilets that are accessible to children with disabilities, State-wise;
(c) whether Government takes measures to ensure that the toilets built in schools are accessible to children with disability;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a): With the construction/reconstruction of 4,17,796 toilets in 2,61,400 elementary and secondary schools within one year from 15.08.2014 to 15.08.2015 under Swachh Vidyalaya Initiative undertaken in association with State Governments and UT Administrations, Central Public Sector Undertakings and Private Corporates, all government schools now have gender segregated toilets for girls and boys. Further, all States and UTs have been advised to ensure that all the schools in the respective State and UT, including those under the non-Government sector comply with the provision contained in the Schedule to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 which inter alia states that every recognised school should have separate toilets for boys and girls.
(b): State/UT-wise percentage of schools with toilets for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) at elementary and secondary level is at Annexure.
(c) to (e): The Schedule to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 states that every school building shall have separate toilets for boys and girls. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is the designated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for meeting the objectives of the RTE Act, 2009 also provides for barrier free access in the elementary schools for the benefit of children including CWSN. Since inception of the SSA scheme in 2001, 1.19 lakh toilets for CWSN have been constructed till 31.12.2016.

The RTE Act also provides that every school should have barrier-free access. According to U-DISE, 2015-16, 82.60% elementary schools have been provided with barrier free access. The Ministry of Human Resource Development on 22nd March, 2017 has advised all States and UTs to achieve 100% barrier free infrastructure/access for the benefit of children including CWSN by March, 2020.

Toilets for children with disability in schools