KINGSTON, Jamaica – Food For the Poor (FFP) has confirmed that by the end of May into early June, 50 primary schools now using pit latrines will have flush toilets as a result of its partnership with the Ministry of Education, under the ‘Flush for Life’ initiative.
The aim is to outfit the institutions with modern sanitary conveniences as part of an overall thrust to eliminate pit latrines from schools, particularly in rural areas, which have existed over many decades.
Speaking at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange earlier today, Executive Director of FFP Jamaica, David Mair, said the FFP is now carrying out works in 45 of the targeted schools.
“The Government has made a clear decision to move away from the pit latrines,” Chairman, Andrew Mahfood, remarked.
Education Minister, Ronald Thwaites, in his Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives last year, said 94 flush toilet units were to be installed in 2014-2015, and that FFP had proposed to build 112 units in two phases, at a cost of some J$168 million.
Alphea Saunders
