Are the post-MDG indicators a step in the right direction?

This question is the first topic for discussion in a series of three WASH in Schools e-debates scheduled for the coming months. The e-debates will take place in the first week of September, October and November 2012 and will focus specifically on WASH in Schools issues. The topics are inspired by questions asked during the implementation of the SWASH+ Project, an action-research school WASH project in Kenya.

First e-debate: 3 - 14 September 2012

The key statement for this first e-debate is “The proposed indicators on WASH in schools chosen by the JMP Post-2015 Working Groups are a step in the right direction”.  In this first e-debate we will focus on the WASH in Schools targets and indicators [1] published in the "Draft Long List of Goal Target and Indicator Options for Future Global Monitoring of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene" -  http://washurl.net/a4z2t7.

The results of this first e-debate will serve as an input for the public consultation of the JMP Post-2015 Working Groups, which ends on September 20. The e-debate runs from Monday (September 3) and till Friday (September 14). 

Second e-debate: 1 - 5 October 2012

The second e-debate will focus on: Funding for direct delivery of school WASH services from NGOs and donors undermines the commitment of national governments and communities. This second e-debate will take place from 1 – 5 October.  

Third e-debate: 5 - 9 November 2012

The third e-debate will focus on the following statement:Local governments will never be able to generate enough resources to meet their policy obligations. This third e-debate will take place from November 5-9.

Please note that based on responses we may deviate slightly in e-debate 2 and 3 based on demand.  We now invite you to help fire up the discussion and ensure we are all being challenged by different viewpoints. Details on how to join the e-debates will be provided on 3 September.

[1] WASH in Schools-related targets, goals and indicators

Please note that the Working Groups are considering the formulation of common targets for WASH in schools.

Water Working Group

By 2030, EVERYBODY has equitable access to a basic water service in their schools

To halve, by 2030, the proportion of people, including disadvantaged groups, without equitable access to a higher water service at school

Sanitation Working Group

By (x), all schools offer adequate sanitation facilities to all users (‘x’ to be defined)

• Percentage of schools with separate and adequate facilities, used by all, for boys and girls

Definition of separate and adequate:

• Separates excreta from human contact and ensures that excreta does not re-enter  the immediate environment
• Safe (protects the user from risks such as vermin, falling into the pit etc)
• Durable
• No more than ‘x’ users per seat or cubicle in schools (‘x’ to be defined)
• Gender specific facilities -  separate for girls and boys
• Protects users from culturally-inappropriate exposure or invasion of privacy
• Includes facilities for menstrual hygiene management (disposal for menstrual  hygiene management materials)
• Includes facilities for handwashing with soap and water
• Accommodates needs of people with disabilities

Hygiene Working Group

Percentage of schools with a handwashing facility with soap and water (all schools)

Percentage of schools disseminating pragmatic menstrual management information

Percentage of schools that provide gender separated latrines with water and soap and disposal facilities for menstrual materials.