The primary school on Stielerstrasse in Munich is the only Bavarian school to be awarded a prize by the German Toilet Organisation (GTO). In the “Toilets Make School” competition, it beat 134 other schools from 14 federal states and received this year’s main prize for its toilet concept – together with two schools in Unna (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Winsen an der Luhe (Lower Saxony). Seven other schools received a special prize. A total of 50,000 euros worth of cash and non-cash prizes will be awarded in Berlin.
What may sound funny at first has a serious background. School toilets are a hot spot in many places, says Svenja Ksoll, coordinator of the competition. School buildings and therefore also the sanitary facilities are often dilapidated. There is often a lack of soap and toilet paper. Vandalism, stench and a lack of privacy are also problems.
A study on Berlin school toilets published by the GTO in August 2023 showed, for example, that many students suffer from the condition, often avoid the place and sometimes eat and drink less during the school day. That is why the GTO is committed to better sanitation with various projects around the world – including in German schools.
In the “Toilets Make School” competition, schools were asked to develop and implement ideas and concepts for permanently clean school toilets after a comprehensive problem analysis. To do this, they were asked to improve and beautify the rooms and increase appreciation for the toilets. “The primary school on Stielerstrasse carried out a very empathetic and in-depth problem analysis,” the jury said in its statement. “Particular focus was on the equipment and the associated feel-good factor.”
Another particularly important criterion for the GTO jury is that the students are actively involved in all aspects of the toilet project. They should develop their concept together with those responsible at the school. The jury said that this was successful at the Stielerstrasse primary school. Here, the entire school community is “involved in the organization of the school toilets.” This means, for example, that checklists are available in every class in which the children can report damage and problems to the school management and the caretaker. A traffic light system has also been introduced to provide a better overview of the condition.
From disco balls, music and colorful tiles to tampon and sanitary towel dispensers and cell phone holders, many ideas for beautification were received nationwide. The primary school on Stielerstrasse was also able to prevail because it met the sustainability criteria. The school is not just beautifying its toilets once, but is creating long-term structures with a checklist and traffic light system.