Environmental Sanitation – JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Environmental sanitation is the practice of keeping our home, school and community clean, safe and free from germs.

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain what environmental sanitation means.
2. State why environmental sanitation is important.
3. List the five main areas of environmental sanitation.
4. Describe how germs spread and the dangers of poor sanitation.
5. Name the tools used for cleaning and personal hygiene.
6. Describe ways to practise good sanitation at home, at school and in the community.
7. State what Islam teaches about cleanliness.

What is environmental sanitation?

Environmental sanitation means keeping our surroundings clean and healthy.

• Cleaning: sweeping, washing and clearing dirt from our environment.
• Germ control: removing dirt and germs that cause disease.
• Protection: guarding ourselves from diseases.
• Care: looking after our home, school and community.
• Safety: making sure our living spaces are safe and healthy.

What does Islam teach about cleanliness?

Islam treats cleanliness (Taharah) as part of worship and faith.

• Cleanliness and faith: the Prophet (SAW) taught that cleanliness is half of faith.
• Allah loves the clean: the Qur’an says Allah loves those who keep themselves pure (Q2:222).
• Clean clothes: the Qur’an instructs believers to keep their garments clean (Q74:4).
• Clean paths: the Prophet (SAW) taught that removing harmful things from the road is a part of faith and a charity.
• No waste: the Qur’an tells believers not to waste (Q7:31).
• Care for creation: Muslims are trustees of the earth and must not spoil it (see Q30:41).
• Clean water: the Prophet (SAW) forbade passing urine in still water that people use.

How does Islam practise personal cleanliness?

• Wudu: washing parts of the body before Salah.
• Ghusl: a full bath after certain conditions, such as after sexual intercourse or at the end of menstruation.
• Siwak: cleaning the teeth with a chewing stick or brush.
• Nail clipping: trimming nails is part of natural cleanliness (Fitrah).
• Clean place of prayer: the body, clothes and prayer place must be clean.

What are the steps of wudu?

1. Make the intention and say “Bismillah”.
2. Wash both hands up to the wrists.
3. Rinse the mouth.
4. Clean the nose with water.
5. Wash the face.
6. Wash the arms up to the elbows.
7. Wipe the head and the ears.
8. Wash both feet up to the ankles.

Why is environmental sanitation important?

A clean environment keeps people, plants and animals healthy.

• Good health: we stay healthy.
• Disease prevention: germs have fewer places to grow.
• Comfort: we feel happy and comfortable.
• Protection of life: plants and animals are protected.
• Pleasant surroundings: we live in a nice place.
• Germ control: germs are stopped from spreading.
• Obedience to Allah: keeping clean is an act of worship.

What are the main areas of environmental sanitation?

There are five main areas of environmental sanitation: waste management, water sanitation, personal hygiene, home cleanliness and public space cleanliness.

1. Waste management

• Collect: gather garbage properly.
• Separate: keep different types of trash apart.
• Recycle: reuse things that can be used again.
• Dispose: put trash in the right places.
• Keep clean: keep streets and homes free of waste.

2. Water sanitation

• Keep water clean: stop water from becoming dirty.
• Protect drinking water: cover water containers and wells.
• Drink clean water: use safe water for drinking.
• Wash hands: use clean water.

3. Personal hygiene

• Hands: wash them often.
• Body: take regular baths.
• Clothes: wear clean clothes.
• Teeth: brush them.
• Nails: cut them.

4. Home cleanliness

• Floors: sweep and mop them.
• Furniture: dust it.
• Dishes: wash them.
• Beds: make them.
• Kitchen: keep it clean.
• Rooms: keep them organised.

5. Public space cleanliness

• Streets: keep them clean.
• Bins: use trash cans.
• Litter: do not throw garbage on the ground.
• Parks: keep parks and public areas neat.
• Community work: help clean community spaces.

How can we practise good environmental sanitation?

We practise good sanitation through daily habits at home, at school and in the community.

At home

• Wash hands before eating.
• Clean up after playing.
• Help parents clean.
• Keep your room tidy.
• Throw trash in the correct bins.

At school

• Keep the classroom clean.
• Do not litter.
• Use trash cans.
• Clean your desk.
• Help clean the school grounds.

In the community

• Do not throw trash on the streets.
• Help clean public spaces.
• Tell others to keep areas clean.
• Plant trees.
• Protect the environment.

What are the dangers of poor sanitation?

Poor sanitation spreads germs, makes people sick and harms the environment.

• Spread of germs: dirt gives germs a place to grow.
• Sickness: people can get diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea.
• Dirty water: water sources become unsafe to drink.
• Mosquito breeding: stagnant water and blocked drains let mosquitoes breed, and they spread malaria.
• Loss of life: animals and plants can die.
• Unhealthy surroundings: the environment smells and becomes unpleasant.

How do germs spread?

Germs spread from dirt to people through hands, food, water and surfaces.

• Dirty hands: germs pass to food and the mouth.
• Unwashed food: germs stay on fruits, vegetables and uncovered food.
• Unclean water: germs are swallowed when we drink it.
• Messy living spaces: dirt attracts flies, cockroaches and rats.
• Dirty surfaces: germs pass to our hands when we touch them.

What tools are used for good sanitation?

Sanitation tools are of two kinds: cleaning tools for the surroundings and personal cleaning tools for the body.

Who is responsible for sanitation?

Everyone is responsible for sanitation.

• Children: keep their rooms, classrooms and bodies clean.
• Parents: keep the home clean and teach good habits.
• Teachers: guide pupils to keep the school clean.
• Community members: keep streets, markets and drains clean.
• Government workers: collect refuse and provide safe water and toilets.

How does sanitation affect health?

Good sanitation prevents many illnesses.

• Stomach problems: clean food and water prevent them.
• Skin diseases: regular bathing and clean clothes prevent them.
• Breathing problems: less dust and smoke from rubbish reduces them.
• Infections: clean hands and surfaces lower the risk.
• Spread of germs: clean surroundings keep it low.

Remember: Clean environment = Healthy life.

Evaluation

1. What does environmental sanitation mean?
2. State four reasons why a clean environment is important.
3. List the five main areas of environmental sanitation.
4. Mention four ways germs can spread.
5. Name four personal cleaning tools.

Assignment

List three ways you can practise good sanitation at home and three ways you can do so at school. Name two health problems that good sanitation helps prevent. State one teaching of Islam on cleanliness.