PIBG, schools need to collaborate to upgrade toilets

MELAKA: The implementation of various initiatives, including a one-time allocation of RM70,000 for the upgrading and maintenance of toilets in schools by the government should not "mark the end" the cooperation between the Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG) and school authorities.

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bukit Baru PIBG president Datuk Ronald Gan Yong Hoe said it should become a platform for every PIBG member to be more active in matters related to the maintenance and sprucing up of toilets to ease the financial burden of both parties.

"The government has started the initiative (to upgrade toilets), so school authorities, students and parents must play their roles. This is because the government cannot afford to always give allocations and this is where all of us, especially the students, must understand that the toilet is their responsibility," he told Bernama.

He said that among the initiatives to ease their financial burden involved schools following the concept of "adopting a toilet", cleanliness competition as well as joint monitoring of maintenance at stipulated times.

"To me, as the school's PIBG president, we take the initiative to assist the school to spruce up the toilets here. Seeing that this school has many toilets, such initiatives must be ongoing.

"Students must also take care of the toilets as if they are like their own rooms because to see if a school or its students are good or not, we look at the toilet (conditions). This process will also indirectly reduce vandalism, which surely will impact costs to the school," he said.

Meanwhile, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Telok Mas PIBG president Muhammad Al Amin Zainol said whether or not a toilet functions properly can be measured through the role of the PIBG, especially after a huge allocation has been given by the government for the comfort of the students.

"To me, I don't need to let the government bear the full burden of maintaining school toilets because there are already certain funds which are channelled to every school.

"So, it's up to us (the PIBG) to help the school implement and ensure it continues to function well by carrying out gotong-royong projects, periodical surveillance and instilling a sense of awareness in the students about their role in the maintenance of school toilets," he said.

As for SK Duyong PIBG president Nur Azan Hassan, he said that besides joint monitoring, active contributions will also help ease the burden of schools in tackling toilet-related issues.

"Basically, in terms of allocation, the government surely has its limits because it's not beneficial for it to just focus on toilet infrastructure, although the RM70,000 initiative is most appreciated.

"So, the good cooperation between the Federal government, state, leadership at the village and alumni levels can help turn these facilities to be more comfortable to be used by our children because, previously, we had carried out projects to spruce up classrooms and the response was very positive," he said.

-- BERNAMA