The Public Defender of Georgia has started to check the quality of water at public schools of Georgia following the appeal of the Young Teachers’ Union and the Management System Development Center.

The Public Defender requested the results of the examination, conducted at public schools in order to check the quality of water in 2015-2016, from the National Food Agency and the Ministry of Education and Science.

According to the reply received from the National Food Agency, they examined 129 samples of public school water in 2015-2016, 45 out of which failed to meet the requirements of the Decree No 58 on the Drinking Water Technical Regulations adopted by the Government of Georgia on January 15, 2014, which is caused by ineffective disinfestation of water and refers to the epidemic unsafety.

It should be noted that as a result of examining a number of schools by the Public Defender's Office, it has been found out that the water supply pipeline system of schools is out of order.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child particularly focuses on the child's right to life and survival, as well as the right to safe enjoyment of water and sanitation systems, as the necessary condition for the realization of the principle of child welfare.

The Public Defender expresses deep concern about the sanitation and hygiene conditions of water at public schools and calls on the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as the relevant units of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, to regularly check the quality of water in all schools and take all necessary measures in order to adjust water pipeline systems, control the quality of water and disinfest water in public schools.

The Public Defender appeals to the Minister of Education and Science, as well as the Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, and demands that the issue be immediately solved both at the legislative and executive levels.