5 th world water forum-2009, istanbul

55thth World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul

WASH in Schools - Scaling up water,

Sanitation and Hygiene Education in Schools

Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

Dr.Roy KunjappyEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH RESEARCH (CCHR) SADANATHIL BUNGALOW, VETTIKAVALA, KOTTARAKARA, KERALA- 691 538, INDIA E-mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Global & Indian Scenario on Water Global & Indian Scenario on Water and Sanitationand Sanitation

• Globally,1200 million people lack access to safe water. In Globally,1200 million people lack access to safe water. In

India, 125 million people lack access to safe water. India, 125 million people lack access to safe water. • At the global level it was recently estimated that 2600 At the global level it was recently estimated that 2600

million people defecate in the open. In India, 700 million million people defecate in the open. In India, 700 million people lack access to sanitation facilities & resort to people lack access to sanitation facilities & resort to defecate in the open.defecate in the open.

• Diarrhoea claims the lives of 2 million children around the Diarrhoea claims the lives of 2 million children around the world every year. While one million children in India die of world every year. While one million children in India die of diarrhoeal diseases each year directly as a result of drinking diarrhoeal diseases each year directly as a result of drinking unsafe water and living in unhygienic conditions. unsafe water and living in unhygienic conditions.

• According to a UNICEF Report in 2006, 2.1 million under five According to a UNICEF Report in 2006, 2.1 million under five years died in India, ie., one-fifth of the world’s total. years died in India, ie., one-fifth of the world’s total. Whereas in China it was 4,15,000 ie., 0.42 million. Whereas in China it was 4,15,000 ie., 0.42 million. Diarrhoea, pneumonia, malnutrition and poor neonatal care Diarrhoea, pneumonia, malnutrition and poor neonatal care are among the major causes of child deaths in the region. are among the major causes of child deaths in the region.



The health profile of Kerala The health profile of Kerala StateState

• The health profile of Kerala State is reported to be low The health profile of Kerala State is reported to be low mortality-high morbidity syndrome. mortality-high morbidity syndrome.

• The dominant disease group comprises diarrhoeal The dominant disease group comprises diarrhoeal diseases, gastroenteritis, dysentery, cholera, infectious diseases, gastroenteritis, dysentery, cholera, infectious hepatitis, malaria, worm diseases, japanese encephalitis, hepatitis, malaria, worm diseases, japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, weils disease and chikungunya were dengue fever, weils disease and chikungunya were identified as the common water-borne and water-related identified as the common water-borne and water-related diseases in the area diseases in the area

• It was further observed that lack of protected water It was further observed that lack of protected water supply and toilet facilities, accumulation of solid waste, supply and toilet facilities, accumulation of solid waste, and poor hygiene practices were found to be the major and poor hygiene practices were found to be the major risk factors of high water-borne morbidity in the region.risk factors of high water-borne morbidity in the region.



In this context, WASH Coalition in Kerala in collaboration with its stakeholders launched a

programme in selected schools in 4 Southern Districts of Kerala State (India) called "WASH in Schools" with an objective for better hygiene behavior and healthy environment in schools.



Objectives:Objectives:

• To provide better hygiene behavior and healthy To provide better hygiene behavior and healthy environment in schools in order to improve the quality of environment in schools in order to improve the quality of life of the future generation. life of the future generation.

• Schools are the ideal places of learning for children and Schools are the ideal places of learning for children and they have a crucial role in the process of community they have a crucial role in the process of community development. Schools can be able to stimulate children for development. Schools can be able to stimulate children for a behavior change. If there is adequate facilities on enough a behavior change. If there is adequate facilities on enough safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools, children as well as teachers can act as role models schools, children as well as teachers can act as role models of the society. This will definitely influence the communities of the society. This will definitely influence the communities for a better change in their attitude and approach. That was for a better change in their attitude and approach. That was the psychology behind this initiative.the psychology behind this initiative.



• Dissemination of knowledge at grass-root level is Dissemination of knowledge at grass-root level is important for a change in the attitude of the important for a change in the attitude of the people. So schools are the best place for a start.people. So schools are the best place for a start.

• Try to implement environmental Try to implement environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene in school awareness/school sanitation/hygiene in school syllabus for a healthy school environment.syllabus for a healthy school environment.



Area of coverage and Area of coverage and target populationtarget population

• Selected Schools in 4 Southern Districts Selected Schools in 4 Southern Districts (Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, (Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Allapuzha) of Kerala are Pathanamthitta, Allapuzha) of Kerala are selected for the implementation of this selected for the implementation of this programme as Phase- 1.programme as Phase- 1.



Study design/implementation Study design/implementation strategy and the machinery for strategy and the machinery for

execution of the project.execution of the project. • Basically, WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene for all) in Basically, WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene for all) in

Schools is a collective effort by the stakeholders of the Schools is a collective effort by the stakeholders of the sector including students, Parent-Teachers Associations sector including students, Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs), NSS (National Service Scheme), School (PTAs), NSS (National Service Scheme), School Administrators, Local self-governments (Panchayats), Administrators, Local self-governments (Panchayats), NGOs, self-help groups and other grass-root organisations. NGOs, self-help groups and other grass-root organisations. WASH in Schools is a mass movement as part of the Global WASH in Schools is a mass movement as part of the Global WASH Campaign. Hence, the programme is a sustainable WASH Campaign. Hence, the programme is a sustainable model for better hygiene behaviour and healthy model for better hygiene behaviour and healthy environment in schools. WASH-coalition (net-work of environment in schools. WASH-coalition (net-work of organisations) in the State of Kerala have a crucial role in organisations) in the State of Kerala have a crucial role in the implementation process. the implementation process.



Implementation Implementation scheduleschedule

• Duration of the ProjectDuration of the Project:: The project The project consists of two phases. The Phase-1 of the consists of two phases. The Phase-1 of the project will be completed with in few project will be completed with in few months. The Phase-2 of the project will be months. The Phase-2 of the project will be launched shortly in order to intensify launched shortly in order to intensify activities in other districts of Keralaactivities in other districts of Kerala



Key activities:Key activities: • Awareness camps, symposia, children congress, Awareness camps, symposia, children congress,

water quiz, competitions, rallies, will be conducted water quiz, competitions, rallies, will be conducted in all selected schools as part of “WASH in schools”.in all selected schools as part of “WASH in schools”.

• WASH posters/Charts will exhibit and display in all WASH posters/Charts will exhibit and display in all selected schools. Further to prepare new awareness selected schools. Further to prepare new awareness materials for WASH in Schools.materials for WASH in Schools.

• To constitute "WASH school committees" and "Eco-To constitute "WASH school committees" and "Eco-clubs" with the co-operation and participation of clubs" with the co-operation and participation of pupils, teachers, parent-teachers association (PTA), pupils, teachers, parent-teachers association (PTA), school administrators and other stakeholders.school administrators and other stakeholders.

• Monitoring and evaluation will be carried out on Monitoring and evaluation will be carried out on drinking water status, health status, sanitary status drinking water status, health status, sanitary status and hygiene behavior of children as well as the and hygiene behavior of children as well as the local communities through an epidemiological local communities through an epidemiological survey in respective areas.survey in respective areas.



• Simple disinfection methods of dug wells and Simple disinfection methods of dug wells and available water for drinking will be demonstrated to available water for drinking will be demonstrated to children in order to reduce water-borne morbidity.children in order to reduce water-borne morbidity.

• Intensive awareness will be given to mosquito Intensive awareness will be given to mosquito eradication and school children will be part of this eradication and school children will be part of this drive. Further, awareness will be given to children drive. Further, awareness will be given to children on various aspects of safe and clean drinking water, on various aspects of safe and clean drinking water, water contamination, disease transmission, waste water contamination, disease transmission, waste disposal, sanitary latrine, impact of open defecation disposal, sanitary latrine, impact of open defecation and water-borne diseases, mosquito menace, hand and water-borne diseases, mosquito menace, hand washing, sanitary wells, hand pumps, ORS/SSS, washing, sanitary wells, hand pumps, ORS/SSS, Household Centered Environmental Sanitation Household Centered Environmental Sanitation (HCES), food hygiene and many.(HCES), food hygiene and many.

• To propagate various rainwater harvesting To propagate various rainwater harvesting techniques and other methods of water techniques and other methods of water conservation.conservation.



• Parent-teachers associations (PTAs), school Parent-teachers associations (PTAs), school administrators, Panchayats (PRIs), elected administrators, Panchayats (PRIs), elected representatives and other local stakeholders will representatives and other local stakeholders will take the responsibilities for the construction of water take the responsibilities for the construction of water supply and sanitary facilities in the respective supply and sanitary facilities in the respective schools.schools.

• Building the capacity of local stakeholders Building the capacity of local stakeholders considered as one of the most important element for considered as one of the most important element for the successful implementation of the programme. the successful implementation of the programme. Training modules on safe use of drinking water, Training modules on safe use of drinking water, decent sanitation, safe disposal of solid and liquid decent sanitation, safe disposal of solid and liquid waste, and best hygiene practices will be provided waste, and best hygiene practices will be provided to the stakeholders of the programme.to the stakeholders of the programme.

• Try to implement environmental awareness/school Try to implement environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene education in school syllabus for a sanitation/hygiene education in school syllabus for a healthy school environment.healthy school environment.

• To design and produce a Handbook and a Resource To design and produce a Handbook and a Resource book for schoolteachers for the safe use of drinking book for schoolteachers for the safe use of drinking water, school sanitation and hygiene education.water, school sanitation and hygiene education.



Details of Few WASH Details of Few WASH MaterialsMaterials

• Sanitation – ways within our means:Sanitation – ways within our means: This illustrates This illustrates various aspects of a “clean village” and a “unclean village”. The various aspects of a “clean village” and a “unclean village”. The clean village is depicted as the “heaven on the earth” whereas clean village is depicted as the “heaven on the earth” whereas the unclean village as the “hell on the earth”.the unclean village as the “hell on the earth”.

• Simple practices for a healthy life:Simple practices for a healthy life: This poster This poster illustrates various means of hygiene promotion for a healthy life. illustrates various means of hygiene promotion for a healthy life. Depiction of key hygiene behaviours include water handling, Depiction of key hygiene behaviours include water handling, personal hygiene, safe disposal of human faeces, food hygiene, personal hygiene, safe disposal of human faeces, food hygiene, safe disposal of animal and solid waste, safe disposal of liquid safe disposal of animal and solid waste, safe disposal of liquid waste and village sanitation. In waste and village sanitation. In water handlingwater handling, pictures to , pictures to explain the importance of a safe water source for drinking water explain the importance of a safe water source for drinking water collection, keeping of water containers in home and the collection, keeping of water containers in home and the necessity of a ladle/tap/tilt to pour drinking water in order to necessity of a ladle/tap/tilt to pour drinking water in order to avoid dipping hands in water.avoid dipping hands in water.



• The Facts and the Solutions:The Facts and the Solutions: In this section, there In this section, there is a comparison of Global and Indian scenario on safe is a comparison of Global and Indian scenario on safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and health. drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and health.

• Timely Action Saves Lives – Treat Dehydration Timely Action Saves Lives – Treat Dehydration With ORS/SSS:With ORS/SSS: Various pictures of this poster to Various pictures of this poster to explain how to prepare ORS and Sugar Salt Solution explain how to prepare ORS and Sugar Salt Solution (SSS). (SSS).

• Hand Washing –Washing away germs, Hand Washing –Washing away germs, preventing diseases:preventing diseases: Hands are the body’s feeders Hands are the body’s feeders and cleaners and helping to eat and keep the bodies and cleaners and helping to eat and keep the bodies clean, including defecation. If hands do not wash at clean, including defecation. If hands do not wash at critical times, particularly after handling human critical times, particularly after handling human faeces, fecal germs can be transmitted, leading to faeces, fecal germs can be transmitted, leading to diarrhoeal diseases.diarrhoeal diseases.



• Kitchen Gardens:Kitchen Gardens: This session demonstrates uses of This session demonstrates uses of waste water from households and other sources for waste water from households and other sources for generating nutritious food. Pools of stagnant wastewater generating nutritious food. Pools of stagnant wastewater are the breeding grounds for mosquitoes that are the are the breeding grounds for mosquitoes that are the carries of many lives threatening diseases.carries of many lives threatening diseases.

• Faecal – oral Transmission Route:Faecal – oral Transmission Route: Depictions on faecal- Depictions on faecal-oral transmission route are faeces, flies/pet animals, fields, oral transmission route are faeces, flies/pet animals, fields, fluids (water), fingers and food. Illustrations are given to fluids (water), fingers and food. Illustrations are given to block the faecal-oral transmission route include using of block the faecal-oral transmission route include using of toilet, proper hand washing, using safe water source and toilet, proper hand washing, using safe water source and good handling practices, and adopting good food hygiene good handling practices, and adopting good food hygiene practices etc.practices etc.



• Our Children are the future. Can we afford to Our Children are the future. Can we afford to exclude them:exclude them: This is a message to the society and all This is a message to the society and all stakeholders of the sector that children are the future and stakeholders of the sector that children are the future and it is the responsibility of all to prevent the death of 2 million it is the responsibility of all to prevent the death of 2 million children every year due to water-borne diseases.children every year due to water-borne diseases.

• Who is responsible? - “We”Who is responsible? - “We” : : Finally, the depiction on Finally, the depiction on who is responsible for the pitiful situation on water, who is responsible for the pitiful situation on water, sanitation and health illustrates that nobody other than sanitation and health illustrates that nobody other than “we” are responsible to manage, maintain and operate the “we” are responsible to manage, maintain and operate the system. Capacity building by providing proper training will system. Capacity building by providing proper training will create an ideal situation for the problems.create an ideal situation for the problems.



Hand written Children’s Magazine “Water Hand written Children’s Magazine “Water Voice”Voice”

5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul


Water Rally (Jalarally)Water Rally (Jalarally)


5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul

Outcome:Outcome:variables/performancevariables/performance indicators.indicators. • It was observed considerable improvement in the hygiene It was observed considerable improvement in the hygiene

behavior of school children and improvement in the behavior of school children and improvement in the sanitary and drinking water facilities in schools (as per sanitary and drinking water facilities in schools (as per the survey report). the survey report).

• Environmental awareness in the minds of the children Environmental awareness in the minds of the children create a sense of responsibility for a healthy environment create a sense of responsibility for a healthy environment not only in schools but also in households and finally in not only in schools but also in households and finally in the society as a whole. the society as a whole.

• Best practices and experiences found to be replicated Best practices and experiences found to be replicated and propagate in other areas. and propagate in other areas.

• It was found be a model of dissemination of knowledge at It was found be a model of dissemination of knowledge at grass-root for a behaviour change. grass-root for a behaviour change.

• Resource Book, WASH posters and other materials in Resource Book, WASH posters and other materials in Malayalam (regional language) found to be valuable Malayalam (regional language) found to be valuable materials for future course of action in other places. materials for future course of action in other places.



• Building the capacity of all stakeholders may create a new Building the capacity of all stakeholders may create a new momentum in the society on WASH movement (Water, momentum in the society on WASH movement (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for all). Sanitation and Hygiene for all).

• Advocacy at local level may lead to a policy change at the Advocacy at local level may lead to a policy change at the State and National level with strong stakeholder State and National level with strong stakeholder participation ( eg. Projects on School Health participation ( eg. Projects on School Health project/Hygiene education by the local State Govt.) project/Hygiene education by the local State Govt.)

• Information utilization found to be a good tool for further Information utilization found to be a good tool for further course of action. Web-site information on various activities course of action. Web-site information on various activities will be able to use for future activities and follow-ups. will be able to use for future activities and follow-ups.

• A momentum created at all levels that “all children have a A momentum created at all levels that “all children have a right to basic facilities such as school toilets, safe drinking right to basic facilities such as school toilets, safe drinking water, clean surroundings and information on hygiene”. water, clean surroundings and information on hygiene”.

• Steps are being taken at the State (local) level in order to Steps are being taken at the State (local) level in order to incorporated environmental awareness/school incorporated environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene education for a healthy school sanitation/hygiene education for a healthy school environment in school curriculum . environment in school curriculum .

• ““WASH in School” programme in Kerala won the WASH in School” programme in Kerala won the prestigious Palathully Award (UNESCO Award programme) prestigious Palathully Award (UNESCO Award programme) of Malayala Manorama- the National Daily in India.of Malayala Manorama- the National Daily in India.



Key recommendations based on the Key recommendations based on the lessons so far learned from Kerala on lessons so far learned from Kerala on WASH in SchoolsWASH in Schools

• Partnerships with governments, donors, community-Partnerships with governments, donors, community-based organisations (CBOs), non-governmental based organisations (CBOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), teachers, children and school organisations (NGOs), teachers, children and school administrators are essential elements to achieve the administrators are essential elements to achieve the sustainability of school sanitation and hygiene education sustainability of school sanitation and hygiene education programmes.programmes.

• To highlight the duty of all stakeholders to convey the To highlight the duty of all stakeholders to convey the message that “children are effective agents of change message that “children are effective agents of change and schools are the ideal places of learning for children; and schools are the ideal places of learning for children; and that they have a crucial role in the process of and that they have a crucial role in the process of community development”community development”

• All children have a right to basic facilities such as school All children have a right to basic facilities such as school toilets, safe drinking water, clean surroundings and toilets, safe drinking water, clean surroundings and information on hygiene.information on hygiene.



• To support efforts to implement environmental To support efforts to implement environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene education in awareness/school sanitation/hygiene education in school syllabus for a healthy school environment.school syllabus for a healthy school environment.

• Capacity building is needed at all levels.Capacity building is needed at all levels.

• Strengthening school based monitoring systems.Strengthening school based monitoring systems.



Social or economic relevance Social or economic relevance of the projectof the project

• The environmental health interventions are The environmental health interventions are regulatory in nature, and benefit accrued are regulatory in nature, and benefit accrued are indirect. They are exclusively preventive and indirect. They are exclusively preventive and benefits can be realised over a long period. The benefits can be realised over a long period. The environmental health interventions also environmental health interventions also potentially convey considerable non-health socio-potentially convey considerable non-health socio-

economic benefits.economic benefits. • Apart from other conventional initiatives, "WASH Apart from other conventional initiatives, "WASH

in Schools" in Kerala found to be a sustainable in Schools" in Kerala found to be a sustainable model with sectoral co-operation; and children model with sectoral co-operation; and children are found to be the agents of change.are found to be the agents of change.



5 th world water forum-2009, istanbul

Documents

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