The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to ensure availability of funds with state governments and union territories for construction of toilets, especially for girls, in all government schools.

It said the absence of toilets has been coming in the way of providing free and compulsory education to children.

The orders were issued by the apex court after perusing the affidavits filed by the states about the progress of the work. Some states sought financial assistance from the Centre.

In its previous order, the apex court had said it is imperative that all schools must provide toilet facilities as empirical researches have indicated that wherever toilet facilities are not provided in schools, parents do not send
their children to schools.