Ask Dr. Scott: Safe drinking water needed for students in Kenya
Ask Dr. Scott: Safe drinking water needed for students in Kenya Fairfield Daily Republic
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Primary School Education in Kenya
Introduction
My wife Camille and I recently embarked on a three-week trip to sub-Saharan Africa. During our time in this magnificent continent, we had the opportunity to witness its diverse wildlife and engage with local communities. Additionally, we decided to support an elementary school feeding program in Kenya through the nonprofit organization Para Ti Global. This experience taught us that our contributions were not only beneficial to the children, but also enriched our own lives.
Challenges in Primary School Education
While the children, totaling nearly 400, enjoyed a nutritious meal consisting of goat stew, bread, and beverages, we became aware of the challenges faced by primary schools in equatorial nations. One of the most pressing issues identified by the school’s principal, teachers, and administrators was water safety. They informed us that the majority of students consumed contaminated water from shallow wells in their home villages. Consequently, these students suffered from frequent gastrointestinal illnesses, leading to high rates of absenteeism and compromised health.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
- SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions the following indicators:
- Access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education: The article highlights the challenges of primary school education, indicating a need for improved access to quality education.
- Access to safe and affordable drinking water: The article mentions that students drink contaminated water from shallow wells, indicating a lack of access to safe drinking water.
- Combatting water-borne diseases: The article mentions that students suffer from recurrent bouts of gastrointestinal illness, indicating the presence of water-borne diseases.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education. | Access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. | Access to safe and affordable drinking water |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases. | Combatting water-borne diseases |
Source: dailyrepublic.com
