A study by the German Toilet Organization in 2023 revealed the state of German school toilets – and the results were sobering: Dirt, poor facilities, and bad smells are everyday issues for many students. 60 percent of school administrations stated that not all sanitary facilities are fully functional. Almost half of the students avoid using the school toilets, with just as many eating or drinking less as a result. All this is detrimental to well-being or even poses a health risk to children and adolescents – and it could be avoided with a few targeted measures.
"Avoiding toilet visits can directly affect physical health, promoting constipation and urinary tract infections and also burdening cognitive performance. When we drink too little, it affects our thinking, we concentrate less, and our comprehension decreases."
Dr. Andrea Rechenburg, Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn**
Better Hygiene is a Success Achieved Through Teamwork
The "Toilets Make School" competition by the German Toilet Organization (GTO) has shown since 2012 that this doesn't have to be the case – the organization that also initiated the study and summit. Here, schools can demonstrate that they have recognized the problem and how it can be improved in practice; the best ideas and concepts are then awarded. One thing becomes especially clear: Not only does a nice, age-appropriate design and more cleanliness help. Permanent better hygiene in the school toilet is mainly achieved when all involved parties work together: This includes students themselves, the teaching staff, and facility management.
Satino by WEPA: Holistic Concepts Involving All Actors
At Satino by WEPA, we are also a player in this interplay: On one hand, it's about equipping the washroom with suitable hygiene dispensers and consumables like soap and hygiene paper. On the other hand, we also provide holistic, individualized concepts: We develop a tailored hygiene plan with schools, support the implementation of the concept with our partners, and assess its effectiveness after some time. We rely on sustainable and innovative solutions and calculate potential environmental savings – and with informational materials specifically for children, we also convey important knowledge about everyday hand hygiene.
A school toilet that is willingly used and appreciated: That is the goal of Satino by WEPA in collaboration with retailers and schools. Because one thing has been shown by the current school toilet competition: Well-maintained and well-equipped washrooms not only enhance hygiene and the quality of life for students but also the overall mood at the school.
Do you want to make professional hygiene for schools your topic? Then download our free brochure "Protection and Health for Our Children" here!
* Toilets Make School. Study on Sanitary Facilities in Berlin Schools, August 2023. German Toilet Organization (GTO) and the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University of Bonn
** Cited according to: ZDF News on School Toilet Summit; July 8, 2024
