School Health and Sanitation

This project is part of the Simavi School Sanitation Programme which consists of more than 30 school sanitation projects in 9 countries. Simavi and its partner organisations have made efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality by preventing disease. Access to safe drinking water and increased awareness of good sanitation and hygiene practices are key to the successful achievement of these goals. An investment in school sanitation and hygiene education is an investment in the future.

Goals overview

The goal is better health for school children through the improvement of sanitation facilities, drinking water supply, hygiene habits, and health checkups.

2470 persons and their families have better knowledge of hygiene and sanitation, 2426 people have been tested and treated, if necessary, for worm infections. The local government department has been stimulated to step up their activities to improve school health.

Current status

Osunyai Primary School is located in a peri urban area of Arusha town and has 2426 pupils (1175 boys and 1251 girls) and 44 teachers. Currently there are only 8 pit latrines for boys, 8 for girls, and 2 for the teachers available. This is not enough, and as a result they are in very poor condition from overuse. The school is connected to the municipal water supply system, but at times does not have the money to cover the water bill. Hygiene education is being taught during regular lessons.

Project plan

12 additional latrines with hand washing facilities will be constructed. They will be the ventilated improved type, with facility for emptying the pits. The latrines will be situated on a hill to avoid contamination of the groundwater, which at times is only about 6 meters below the surface. Additionally, a 10,000 liter rain water harvesting tank will be constructed to reduce the burden of paying the municipal water bill and to provide water in case the piped system is out of order. A health and sanitation club will be formed to raise awareness of good hygiene habits and sanitation practices through peer education (child to child), special events, plays, songs, etc.

Furthermore, the CBHCC will liaise with the relevant local government departments to organize and improve the school health activities, including testing and treating students for worm infections.

The school currently has a well-organized health programme, though it operates at a low level. The Ministry of Education has now officially included health topics in the primary school curriculum. The school will function as an agent of change in the greater community, as a center for teaching and learning, advocacy and lobbying activities. The children will be taught good hygiene habits and sanitation practices, in the hope that they will influence the attitudes of both their fellow pupils and their families.

To reinforce good hygiene behaviour, special quarterly events will be organised to bring together parents and pupils at school. Events will include: introduction of parents to the school health club, the use of theatre (songs, plays, etc) by pupils to deliver hygiene and sanitation messages to parents, a school health competition on hygiene and sanitation, and cultural activities.

The latrines will be owned by the school and managed by the school committee. The design of the latrines makes it possible to empty the pit when full; the removed waste will be treated and disposed of appropriately. The school receives a yearly maintenance contribution which can be used to pay for any major maintenance on the latrines.