Framework for school sanitation and hygiene education

Investing in school sanitation and hygiene education has many benefits. It is in essence an investment in the future, which:

• Promotes effective learning: Children perform better when they function in a hygienic and clean environment.
• Increases enrolment of girls: The lack of private sanitary facilities for girls can discourage parents from sending girls to school and contributes to the drop-out of girls, particularly at puberty.
• Reduces incidences of disease and worm infections: If school sanitation and hygiene facilities are absent, or are badly maintained and used, schools can become a health hazard.
• Promotes environmental cleanliness: The presence and the proper use of facilities will prevent pollution of the environment and limit health hazards for the community at large.
• Implements children's rights: Children have the right to be as healthy and happy as possible. Being clean, healthy and having clean water and proper sanitation facilities contribute to a happy childhood.

The framework for school sanitation and hygiene education will, of course, change depending on the situation. However, an effective SSHE programme will include the following key components:

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 handwashing facilities
• Providing not only sufficient safe drinking water, but also sufficient water for handwashing
• Providing classrooms that 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, handwashing 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
• 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 involving, for example, 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