Providing safe drinking water to students is a major challenge that many schools in the country are faced with. However, the situation is expected to improve in near future.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) initiated a project called “Clean Safe Drinking Water for Every Student.” The ministry has collaborated with Australian Disaster Aid Office and Rotary Club of Thimphu for the project.
The Australian technology- ‘Sky Hydrant’- a water filtration system will provide clean drinking water to the students every day. The initiative hopes to eliminate water borne diseases and improve hygiene services to the students.
The Education Minister, Norbu Wangchuk told BBS News that schools facing challenges in providing clean drinking water to students is due to “the water system that is laid out and especially during monsoon, water pipes are damaged and as such water becomes dirty.”
The minister added, as of now, about 12 schools in the country have installed the Sky Hydrant. The remaining schools will get similar facility within the time period of over two years from now.
The project has also helped schools reduce spending on buying bottled waters during conferences and special occasions.