Assessment on feasibility of cubicle toilet design in primary schools in Selangor with special reference to EPU guidelines

Abstract

Surveys on the conditions of toilets both in the primary and secondary schools are found to be 90% unsatisfactory. In addition to bad maintenance and students` inappropriate toilet manners, inadequate facilities were also found to be a major design factors that contributes to the condition. In fact, inadequate facilities have received many complaints from the public in the media. As for the design guideline for local and overseas school toilets, significant differences were found between them. A local design guideline for local school toilet only highlighted on the provision of toilet cubicle for students. The objective of this study was to assess on feasibility of cubicle toilet design provided in RMK7 (current) primary schools. Sixteen (16) out of thirty-two (32) RMK7 primary schools in from rural and town areas in Selangor were randomly selected. The number of students for each of the sixteen (16) selected schools varies from 298 to 1837 students. The investigations were carried out by observations, interviews and guided questionnaires to 10 students, 4 teachers and a cleaner in each school. The findings were compared to the local guideline which showed that the number of toilet cubicles for girls is significantly inadequate compared to the number of toilet cubicles for boys. Toilets for boys comply with the EPU Guideline; however, teachers commented that the toilets were smelly, unclean and in bad condition. The finding also listed the additional toilet facilities that are required by users such as rubbish bin, clothes rod, durable floor trap covers, soap dispensers and dry counters. Finally, the result from the interviews and guided questionnaires indicated that 50% of the teachers think that the overall quality of facilities provided in primary school toilets is inadequate despite the design that complies with the EPU Guidelines.