Scaling up WASH in Schools – a case study from Kerala (India)

1. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Scaling up WASH in Schools – a case study from Kerala (India) Dr.Roy Kunjappy EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH RESEARCH (CCHR) SADANATHIL BUNGALOW, VETTIKAVALA, KOTTARAKARA, KERALA- 691 538, INDIA E-mail: roycchr@satyam.net.in Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

2. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul The health profile of Kerala State • The health profile of Kerala State is reported to be low mortality-high morbidity syndrome. • The dominant disease group comprises diarrhoeal diseases, gastroenteritis, dysentery, cholera, infectious hepatitis, malaria, worm diseases, japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, weils disease and chikungunya were identified as the common water-borne and water-related diseases in the area • It was further observed that lack of protected water supply and toilet facilities, accumulation of solid waste, and poor hygiene practices were found to be the major 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. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

3. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Objectives: • To provide better hygiene behavior and healthy environment in schools in order to improve the quality of life of the future generation. • Schools are the ideal places of learning for children and they have a crucial role in the process of community development. If there is adequate facilities on enough safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools, children as well as teachers can act as role models of the society. This will definitely influence the communities for a better change in their attitude and approach. That was the psychology behind this initiative. • Dissemination of knowledge at grass-root level is important for a change in the attitude of the people. So schools are the best place for a start. • Try to implement environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene in school syllabus for a healthy school environment. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

4. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Area of coverage and target population • Selected Schools in 4 Southern Districts (Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Allapuzha) of Kerala are selected for the implementation of this programme as Phase- 1. Study design/implementation strategy and the machinery for execution of the project. • Basically, WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene for all) in Schools is a collective effort by the stakeholders of the sector including students, Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs), NSS (National Service Scheme), School Administrators, Local self-governments (Panchayats), NGOs, self-help groups and other grass-root organisations. WASH in Schools is a mass movement as part of the Global WASH Campaign. WASH-coalition (net-work of organisations) in the State of Kerala have a crucial role in the implementation process. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

5. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Implementation schedule • Duration of the Project: The project consists of two phases. The Phase-1 of the project will be completed with in few months. The Phase-2 of the project will be launched shortly in order to intensify activities in other districts of Kerala Key activities: • Awareness camps, symposia, children congress, water quiz, competitions, rallies, will be conducted in all selected schools as part of “WASH in schools”. • WASH posters/Charts will exhibit and display in all selected schools. Further to prepare new awareness materials for WASH in Schools. • To constitute "WASH school committees" and "Eco-clubs" with the co-operation and participation of pupils, teachers, parent-teachers association (PTA), school administrators and other stakeholders. • Simple disinfection methods of dug wells and available water for drinking will be demonstrated to children in order to reduce water-borne morbidity. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

6. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul • Intensive awareness will be given to mosquito eradication and school children will be part of this drive. Further, awareness will be given to children on various aspects of safe and clean drinking water, water contamination, disease transmission, waste disposal, sanitary latrine, impact of open defecation and water-borne diseases, hand washing, sanitary wells, food hygiene and many. • To propagate various rainwater harvesting techniques and other methods of water conservation. • Parent-teachers associations (PTAs), school administrators, Panchayats (PRIs), and other local stakeholders will take the responsibilities for the construction of water supply and sanitary facilities in the respective schools. • Building the capacity of local stakeholders considered as one of the most important element for the successful implementation of the programme. Training modules on safe use of drinking water, decent sanitation, safe disposal of solid and liquid waste, and best hygiene practices will be provided to the stakeholders of the programme. • Try to implement environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene education in school syllabus for a healthy school environment. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

7. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

8. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Hand written Children’s Magazine “WaterVoice” Water Rally (Jalarally) Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

9. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Outcome: variables/performanceindicators. • It was observed considerable improvement in the hygiene behavior of school children and improvement in the sanitary and drinking water facilities in schools (as per the survey report). • Environmental awareness in the minds of the children create a sense of responsibility for a healthy environment not only in schools but also in households and finally in the society as a whole. • A momentum created at all levels that “all children have a right to basic facilities such as school toilets, safe drinking water, clean surroundings and information on hygiene”. • Steps are being taken at the State (local) level in order to incorporated environmental awareness/school sanitation/hygiene education for a healthy school environment in school curriculum . • “WASH in School” programme in Kerala won the prestigious Palathully Award (UNESCO Award programme) of MalayalaManorama- the National Daily in India. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

10. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Key recommendations based on the lessons so far learned from Kerala on WASH in Schools • Partnerships with governments, donors, community-based organisations (CBOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), teachers, children and school administrators are essential elements to achieve the sustainability of school sanitation and hygiene education programmes. • To highlight the duty of all stakeholders to convey the message that “children are effective agents of change and schools are the ideal places of learning for children; and that they have a crucial role in the process of community development” • All children have a right to basic facilities such as school toilets, safe drinking water, clean surroundings and information on hygiene. • Guidelines for School Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SSHE) are important for successful implementation. • Capacity building is needed at all levels. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

11. 5th World Water Forum-2009, Istanbul Social or economic relevance of the programme: • The environmental health interventions are regulatory in nature, and benefit accrued are indirect. They are exclusively preventive and benefits can be realised over a long period. The environmental health interventions also potentially convey considerable non-health socio-economic benefits. • Apart from other conventional initiatives, "WASH in Schools" in Kerala found to be a sustainable model with sectoral co-operation; and children are found to be the agents of change. Centre for Community Health Research (CCHR), Kerala, India

12. Thank You