Not All Schools Offer Basic Handwashing Facilities

Report finds more than 40% of schools worldwide lack access to soap and water

August 17, 2020

As schools around the U.S. ramp up cleaning and health protocols in preparation for the new school year, a joint report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reveals that last year 43% of schools around the world lacked access to basic handwashing with soap and water. This lack of handwashing facilities makes it impossible for all schools to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report found that about 818 million children lack basic handwashing facilities at their schools, putting them at increased risk of COVID-19 and other transmittable diseases. More than one third of these children (295 million) are from sub-Saharan Africa. In the least developed countries, seven out of 10 schools lack basic handwashing facilities and half of schools lack basic sanitation and water services.

Other key findings from the report include:

  • Of the 818 million children who lacked a basic handwashing service at their school, 355 million went to schools which had facilities with water but no soap, and 462 million went to schools which had no water.
  • One in three schools worldwide had either limited drinking water service or no drinking water service at all.
  • 698 million children lacked basic sanitation service at their school, such as toilets.

Make sure your facility patrons and guests understand the importance of handwashing in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Latest Articles

Are You Qualified for Healthcare Cleaning?
May 13, 2025 Jeff Cross

Are You Qualified for Healthcare Cleaning?

May 13, 2025 Jeff Cross

Inside the High Stakes World of Health Care Facility Cleaning

May 12, 2025 Melissa Hixon

Floor Care Solutions Emphasize Simplicity

Sponsored Articles

The First Choice for Your Facility Maintenance Needs
April 2, 2025

The First Choice for Your Facility Maintenance Needs

March 19, 2025 Sponsored by SPARTAN CHEMICAL CO.

Spartan Chemical Recognized as a Safer Choice® Partner of the Year for 2024

March 19, 2025 Sponsored by SOFIDEL AMERICAN CORP

Welcome to the New Papernet World

Recent News

clean floors

Home Laundering Doesn’t Disinfect Healthcare Worker Apparel

Hawaiian Cleaning Company Fined for Withholding Overtime Pay

Vaccine Advisory Committee to Meet Next Week