The department of drinking water and sanitation has asked the HRD ministry to include curriculum on use of safe drinking water and sanitation in primary and middle schools.

The initial symptoms of fluorosis are seen in children in the age group of 8-12 years through dental mottling, which is misunderstood as dental problems or problems arising out of eating habits. Diarrhea and dysentery are amongst the major killers of children in the country, full blown Keratosis leads to cancer due to excessive consumption of arsenic in drinking water.

“Therefore bringing awareness on water quality related diseases, hand-washing and safe drinking habits, environmental and personal hygiene should be included in the curriculum of school children  in the primary and middle schools while water and quality monitoring using simple field test kits, conducting sanitary surveys etc should be included in the curriculum of high school children,” said the agenda note of national drinking water and sanitation council.