The Burka Secondary School Toilet Project
At Burka Secondary School in Sebeta Sub-City, more than 1,300 students attend classes each day. Like many public schools in Ethiopia, the school struggled with basic sanitation infrastructure—particularly for female students.
Through GFoundation’s school sanitation initiative, Burka became the second school to receive targeted support to address these urgent needs.
Addressing Critical Sanitation Gaps
Before the project, toilet facilities were limited and lacked privacy. For many female students, this created daily discomfort and serious hygiene challenges.
To respond to this need, GFoundation constructed a new female latrine block with five private rooms. Each unit includes:
- Access to water
- A private changing space
- Improved hygiene conditions
The design allows girls to manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity and privacy—something that was previously difficult at the school.
In addition, a water tank was installed to supply the toilets and provide handwashing stations in front of the facility. This supports healthier daily habits and reduces hygiene-related health risks.
Improved Safety and Accessibility
The impact extended beyond the toilets themselves.
During the rainy season, the path leading to the facilities became muddy and unsafe. At the request of the school and the Sebeta Education Office, GFoundation constructed a proper walkway, ensuring students could safely access the toilets even in bad weather.
These improvements have contributed to:
- Greater comfort and confidence for female students
- Safer access to sanitation facilities
- A healthier overall school environment
GFoundation continues to monitor the project after completion and conducts maintenance to ensure the facilities remain functional and suitable for daily use.
A New Concern on the Horizon
Despite these positive changes, Burka Secondary School faces an emerging challenge.
Ethiopia’s new railway corridor project is planned near the school grounds. There are concerns that the newly constructed latrine block could be affected by future construction. While the toilets remain fully functional and in use today, the possibility of demolition poses a risk to the long-term sustainability of this important investment.
Protecting Progress
The Burka School Toilet Project demonstrates how improved sanitation can strengthen safety, dignity, and daily school life—especially for girls.
Sustaining this progress requires continued monitoring, maintenance, and partnership to ensure that essential facilities remain protected and accessible for students who depend on them.
