Schools built near rubbish dumpsites are increasingly becoming a silent epidemic in developing countries. As you walk by one of these schools, it is likely that you will see young children in their normal school activities, teachers trying their hardest, and parents anticipating their child‘s success. However, the air quality surrounding these schools tells a different story than what may be perceived by the naked eye. Having been to a few of these schools, I can tell you that the sheer smell in some of them will stop you dead in your tracks; now consider breathing that same air daily.
The Hidden Danger in the Air
In a school that is situated close to a rubbish dump, the first threat children face is the quality of air they inhale. The toxic smoke from burning waste, rotting materials, and chemical fumes creates a mix that chokes classrooms; even when windows stay shut, it doesn’t make it better.
Bad air quality does more than cause coughing or constant sneezing for kids. Many children begin to struggle with:
- Recurring infections
- Eye irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches that appear without warning
My friend once spoke with a teacher who said she keeps a small bottle of balm in her desk because her nose blocks several times a day. And although she laughed while saying it, the fatigue in her eyes said something else completely.
The Negative Effects on a Child’s Brain Development
What is more alarming than the visible evidence of the air quality surrounding these schools is the damage you cannot see. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause numerous cognitive problems, such as impairment of memory, thinking ability, and concentration, due to the faster breathing rate of children vs. adults.
For example, many teachers I spoke to have indicated that they observe students becoming easily distracted during class. One mother that I met informed me that her boy comes home extremely worn out from school (even on light homework days), and she was unaware that the reason was because of the air until she had been speaking to other mothers and found that they have experienced similar concerns. When most of the children living in an area are having the same struggles, the issue is not with what goes on inside the classrooms; rather, it is what takes place outside.
Infections That Keep Coming Back
Children in these schools deal with infections far more often than those in cleaner environments. You may notice repeated cases of:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Skin infections from constant contact with flies and contaminated dust
- Stomach-related problems due to pests moving from dumpsites into school areas
Imagine a child missing several days of school each term. Grades drop. Confidence drops. The routine breaks. And the cycle keeps repeating.
Teachers experience it too. One told me she buys cough drops almost every week. Another said half of her class had catarrh during the Harmattan season, and she could barely speak by noon because she spent the morning correcting sniffles and coughs.
Government Negligence and Unwillingness to Act
You may ask how schools such as these are ever able to be built. Most communities construct makeshift schools wherever they can find any land to construct them. Therefore, instead of taking action to address this problem, government agencies simply ignore it.
Although there are laws that restrict the placement of schools built near rubbish dumpsites, minimal enforcement of these laws occurs. Even when residents do contact government agencies to voice their concerns, it takes a very long time for anything to be accomplished; in fact, some communities wait several years to find out whether or not relocation plans will happen. The answer is clear; when children are located next to heaps of trash, who let them down?
What Communities Can Do
People may make the mistake of assuming they can’t change anything, but small actions build a growing force. If a school near you has this problem, you can advocate for safer conditions in several of the following ways.
Start Local Advocacy
Meet parents, teachers, and community leaders. Build a small committee. A collected voice gets more attention than scattered complaints.
Request Professional Inspection
Calling in environmental officers to test the air quality and identify the possible health risks. These reports can support relocation campaigns.
Pressure Local Authorities
Send letters. Visit council offices. Keep records. Governments react faster when issues are documented.
Clean and Control the Immediate Area
While waiting for bigger changes, the school can improve the space around it.
- Plant more trees to filter air of toxins
- Construct simple barriers to block dust
- Encourage regular waste removal
- Keep classrooms clean and dry to stop pests from breeding
Explore Temporary Learning Alternatives
Some communities create community halls or shared open spaces for lessons until conditions improve.
Overcoming The Silent Health Threat
My mixed feelings after visiting schools built near dumpsites stem from two core observations: the determination on the part of the teachers to continue serving despite the uncomfortable circumstances of working at a dumpsite (ultimately inspiring); the ability of the children, regardless of their circumstances, to find the energy within themselves to continue to laugh and play (purely uplifting); and the rage I feel that children are required to learn in such unsafe surroundings (extremely frustrating).
I want to share with you why it’s important for you as a parent to speak up for your children’s future. As a teacher, I want your voice to be heard. And as a community member living with this unfortunate reality, I encourage you to take the first step to challenge it.
Transformative change will not always happen through massive, long-term building programmes; rather, transformation occurs through an individual (or a group of people) asking a basic but critical question: How did we get here, and how do we change it?
