Effective school sanitation and hygiene education

A healthy physical environment

• Keeping the compound and classrooms clean and free of waste and faecal matter;
• Providing toilets that are designed for children (boys and girls);
• Providing convenient hand washing facilities;
• Providing not only sufficient safe drinking water, but also sufficient water for handwashing;
• Providing classrooms which are well ventilated, provide enough light for studying and have appropriate furniture (e.g. chairs and tables) for the students.

Active and organised children

• Clean and convenient use of facilities by all children and teachers;
• Consistent and organised cleaning and maintenance of toilets, hand washing and drinking water facilities by all children;
• Roles for older children to help and monitor younger children in using facilities and maintaining school cleanliness.

Trained and committed school personnel

• Head teacher and key teachers have been trained/oriented;
• Learning in the classroom which is relevant and strives to be child-centred (Click here for more information about Life skills);
• Educators make and carry out a plan for organising children in use, monitoring and maintenance of facilities and in personal hygiene;
• Planned programme exists for hygiene education, for example, involving school health clubs.

Links to home and community

• Key health and hygiene information and behaviours flow to the home;
• Children and school are good examples and enter the community for special activities related to health and hygiene;
• Families and community provide finance and other support for maintenance and repair of school facilities.