The new toilets in SM Maktab Sabah have better lighting, bright-coloured tiles and good ventilation. — Photos: Bernama
SM Maktab Sabah in Kota Kinabalu is an application of the bersih (clean), menarik (attractive) and wangi (fragrant) concept, with their renovated toilets to ensure a pleasant environment for its students.
The washrooms’ transformation includes bright-coloured tiles complemented by improved lighting and good ventilation, adorned with framed pictures and decorative plants.
The fresh scent of potpourri further enhances the overall ambience.
Form Five student Hidayatul Hazwani Haidir said the upgraded school toilets were more comfortable, as previously the washroom had damaged toilet flush, broken doors and inadequate water flow.
“The toilets are much better now. They are cleaner, brighter and comfortable.
“All the facilities can be used, and the pleasant environment makes students more willing to maintain its cleanliness,” she told Bernama.
Ahyar Ikhtisyam Mohd Zuki, 17, believes that a clean school toilet environment can encourage discipline and a responsible attitude among students.
“It motivates us to care for these renovated toilets.
“Students will be more enthusiastic about going to school if there are clean toilets,” he said, likening the school toilets to a “hotel washroom”.
Another student, Nur Haszarratul Heezwin Hamka, 17, said she hoped fellow students would not only value but also maintain the upgraded toilets.
SM Maktab Sabah acting principal Samsiah Almalek said clean toilets were essential as it reflected the attitude of the school’s more than 1,400 students.
Student Affairs senior assistant Zunaidah Zakarian said the school utilised the Federal Government allocation of RM70,000 to start the toilet renovation works in September last year, which were completed about four weeks later.
Hui Ying Ying, a teacher overseeing school cleanliness, said they provided a cleaning schedule and forms to report any toilet damage.
She said this was to ensure the toilets were well-maintained, besides reminding students to be responsible when using the facilities.
SM Maktab Sabah Parent-Teacher Association president Mohammad Arif Tun Sakaran said the government’s effort to allocate funds for school toilet renovations was a commendable initiative because it can boost attendance.
Sabah Education Department infrastructure and procurement sector senior principal assistant director Zamlee Sabanah said school toilet renovation works throughout the state were expected to be completed by the end of this month.
He said 80% of schools had completed the renovation works, while the remaining were in the final stages, especially those in rural areas.
“In Sabah, there are 1,100 school toilets, of which 603 are maintained by the state education department while the rest are managed by the Implementation Coordination Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department.
“On average, one school receives about RM70,000 while schools in rural areas can receive up to RM100,000,” he said.
The minor maintenance project of renovating the toilets of 8,354 schools with an allocation of RM630.77mil started in mid-July last year to ensure the comfort of over five million students and 409,161 teachers in the country.
