File photo: Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy
Schools that lack toilet facility in Kerala will not be issued a 'fitness certificate' from the next academic year, the Congress-led United Democratic Front government in Kerala has decided.
Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said setting up toilets would be made mandatory in schools.
Till now, the safety of school buildings was considered as a factor for issuing fitness certificates. From next year, along with safety, other facilities including toilets would be made mandatory for getting fitness certificates, he said.
"Schools which lack facilities will also not be allowed to admit new students," Mr Chandy said.
As many as 196 government schools did not have toilets; this facility will be ensured within the next 100 days with funds from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, he said.
Similarly, 1,011 government-aided schools were found to have no toilet facility. Managements of these schools have been directed to construct toilets with their own resources by the next academic year, he said.