The Madrasah Toilet That Changed How We View Education
“Cleanliness is part of faith.” This is a phrase we often hear. However, in daily life, maintaining the cleanliness of public facilities—including toilets—remains a challenge.
This was the situation encountered during a Community Service (PkM) activity by Telkom University at the Darul Muttaqin Al-Insani Foundation, Bojongsari Village, Bojongsoang District, Bandung Regency, led by Ms Ida Yunengsih and Mr Tono.
This madrasah is not a large school with complete facilities. Instead, this community-based educational institution grew from the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) among residents to provide religious education to over one hundred students (santri). Due to limited infrastructure, classrooms are used interchangeably for studying, reciting the Quran, and congregational prayers. This is where sanitation issues become critical. Inadequate toilets not only reduce comfort but also have the potential to affect health and the solemnity of worship. These conditions formed the basis for the toilet revitalisation programme by the Telques University Community Service team.
Starting from a Toilet Door
The problems we discovered were not merely dull tiles or fading paint. The position of the toilet door faced the classroom, which was also used as a place for congregational prayer. This not only caused unpleasant odours but also reduced focus during religious activities. Furthermore, the storage area was poorly organised, reducing the overall functionality of the space.
Therefore, the revitalisation did not only improve the appearance of the toilets but also rearranged the layout to ensure greater comfort for all members of the madrasah.
Mutual Cooperation to Build Dignified Facilities
This programme was implemented by lecturers and students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Telkom University, alongside the foundation’s management, teachers, students of Darul Muttaqin Al-Insani, and the local community.
The activity began with field surveys, design preparation, fundraising, renovation execution, and sanitation education for the madrasah community. A participatory approach was chosen so that the community would not merely be beneficiaries but would also participate in maintaining the sustainability of the constructed facilities.
Equally important was the counselling on WASH-based (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sanitation, integrated with Islamic values. The material covered the importance of maintaining toilet cleanliness, washing hands with soap, saving water, and caring for shared facilities as part of a Muslim’s character (akhlak).
When Toilets Become a Medium for Character Education
Many people consider toilets to be merely supporting facilities. In reality, toilets are the first place where children learn discipline, responsibility, respect for public facilities, and cleanliness. The habit of flushing after use, disposing of rubbish properly, and washing hands is character education that persists into adulthood.
Therefore, during this activity, we also provided educational media in the form of sanitation posters and simple guides to ensure the culture of clean and healthy living is maintained by all members of the madrasah. This programme aligns with the objective of focusing not only on physical improvements but also on changing behaviours towards clean and healthy living.
Students’ Smiles, A New Spirit
The most joyful part was not when the renovation was completed. The most memorable moment was seeing the students, teachers, students, and the community gathered in one room with faces full of enthusiasm. They realised that clean toilets not only create a healthier environment but also foster a comfortable learning atmosphere and more solemn worship.
Sanitation is an Investment in Education
Toilet revitalisation may seem simple. However, behind cleaner buildings lies a significant investment in the health, education, and character formation of the younger generation. It is hoped that more universities, communities, and the public will realise that building education does not always begin with sophisticated laboratories or magnificent buildings. Sometimes, great change begins with a clean, decent, and well-maintained toilet.