New Delhi:
The Government has claimed to have achieved the target of ensuring separate toilets for boys and girls in all schools of the country within a year as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his last Independence Day speech.
According to the HRD Ministry's Swachh Vidyalaya portal compiling figures from across the country, the 100 per cent target of 4.19 lakh toilets was achieved on Friday. In his speech last year, the Prime Minister had promised to meet the target within a year.
PM Modi's emphasis on toilets in all schools was made more so as lack of such facilities were keeping girl students away from schools in many pockets in the country.
The states and Union territories, public sector undertakings from 15 central ministries and more than 10 private sector entities were involved in construction of toilets in schools under the Swachh Vidyalaya initiative.
In an earlier reply in Parliament, HRD Minister Smriti Irani had said that about 310 central observers have been deputed to visit districts to review the progress of the initiative.
The Ministry has congratulated various states and Union territories, PSUs and private players, engaged in the initiative, for achieving their target.