Bio-Toilets in Schools: Transforming Sanitation and Student Health

Team Banka Bio
Jul 8
2 min read

At a glance

Location	Alwar, Rajasthan
Segment	School Sanitation under CSR
Technology Used	Bio-digester-based Bio-Toilets
Units Installed	4000+ Bio-toilets across 500 schools
Execution Timeline	2015 to 2020

The Background:

India has long struggled with open defecation, particularly in rural areas. The lack of adequate sanitation in schools led to absenteeism, dropouts—especially among girls—and poor hygiene practices. In support of the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3 & 6), A well-known Indian company partnered with Banka Bio, a social enterprise in the WaSH (water, sanitation & hygiene) sector.

This partnership aimed to provide separate bio-toilet blocks for boys and girls in underserved government schools in Alwar, Rajasthan, ensuring children had access to safe sanitation and handwashing facilities.

The challenge:

Only 70% of students were using existing school toilets due to poor maintenance.
Toilets in many schools were clogged, lacked a water supply, and were unfit for use.
Adolescent girls often missed school during menstruation due to a lack of clean toilets.
Children suffering from illnesses like dysentery chose to stay home rather than face unhygienic facilities.

The Solution:

Bio-Toilets: Banka Bio installed bio-digester-based bio-toilets in schools across Alwar, which required no sludge removal, minimal water, and next-to-no maintenance.
Holistic Implementation: A local production unit was set up in Alwar, employing local youth for production and installation. Each school received an average of 8 bio-toilets (4 for boys and 4 for girls) and handwashing stations.
Collaborative Process: Regular reviews with school staff and program managers ensured continuous improvement and sustainability.

The Benefits:

Clean and functional toilets encouraged regular usage by students.
Adolescent girls could attend school during menstruation, reducing absenteeism.
School attendance increased for both boys and girls.
Families of students began constructing toilets at home, inspired by the school facilities.
Students became WaSH ambassadors, promoting hygiene in their communities.

The Impact:

4,000+ bio-toilets installed in 500+ government schools in Alwar district.
Over 200,000 students benefited directly from improved sanitation.
97% of girls and 91% of boys now use bio-toilets daily.
88% of girls reported improved dignity, safety, and well-being.
Significant contribution towards SDGs 3 (Good Health) and 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation).
Read on the Impact Assessment by UNDP here.

This project created a multiplier effect, with students spreading hygiene awareness to families and villages. The scalable, replicable model is now being implemented in other parts of India.