A WASH Lesson Plan for Schools

Safe Water Network India School WASH initiatives are crucial for keeping students healthy, in school, and improving long-term educational outcomes, livelihoods, and prosperity. Globally, lack of School WASH access is a persistent issue. According to UNESCO, one in three schools worldwide lacks basic sanitation, and nearly half do not have handwashing facilities with water and soap. In India, these challenges are particularly acute, with over 66,000 government schools lacking toilets for boys and more than 35,000 without toilets for girls. Without proper sanitation and hygiene facilities, quality education remains out of reach for many children.

Safe Water Network India, with the support of corporate CSR donors, has significantly contributed to improving School WASH through multi-stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with school principals, staff, students, and cleaning personnel. Our programs are designed to create healthy behaviors for life by providing safe drinking water, improved sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.

Impact and Partnerships

One of our partners, Milacron India, has played a vital role in advancing our School WASH program in Hyderabad. For example, in a government school with over 800 students, including 500 girls, the availability of clean, functional toilets has been a game-changer. Students now have access to well-maintained facilities, sanitary pads, and safe drinking water, leading to improved attendance, health, and confidence.

Clean, Functional Toilets: We are renovating or building new toilets for both girls and boys in schools, handling all civil works, including installation, piping, and doors. A cleaner is appointed, and cleaning supplies are provided to ensure the toilets remain clean and functional.

Menstrual Hygiene Management: Sanitary pads are provided to adolescent girls through a dispensing machine. We train a Master Trainer at the school through a structured program to educate pre-puberty and pubescent girls and boys on adolescent growth and health. Additionally, girls receive emergency sanitary pads, along with menstrual health management care and guidance.

Rainwater Harvesting: In schools where the installation of rainwater harvesting infrastructure or groundwater recharge systems is feasible, we are developing these solutions to enhance water security.

Clean Drinking Water: We are installing Point of Use Safe Drinking Water filtration systems in schools, selecting the appropriate size and technology based on raw water quality and specific needs. Three tap dispensers are provided for water service. Students, teachers, and staff are encouraged to fill their water bottles and take the clean water home, as they may not have access to good water quality at home. Through our collaboration with ADP, we are building safe drinking water infrastructure in 20 Hyderabad schools. Pentair is helping us expand safe drinking water in government schools from the State of Telangana and Uttar Pradesh in Goa State. 

Additionally, our partnership with CBRE under the “Ek Pehal” program focuses on enhancing WASH services in 10 schools in Gurugram, Haryana. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 and is expected to directly benefit 5,000 students by upgrading sanitation facilities, installing safe drinking water systems, and integrating menstrual hygiene management.

Handwash Hygiene: We are also refurbishing or creating hand-washing stations so students can wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

Global Handwashing Day

To mark Global Handwashing Day (October 15), Safe Water Network India conducted awareness events in schools from October 11-13, supported by Milacron and ADP. These events reached nearly 2,000 students in Hyderabad, emphasizing the importance of proper handwashing with soap and water. Key messages included washing hands before eating, after using the toilet, after playing outdoors, after coughing and sneezing, and after touching animals.

The Broader Challenge and Impact

Children worldwide lose 443 million school days annually due to water-related illnesses, according to UNICEF. Poor sanitation facilities and lack of clean water continue to result in dire health outcomes, particularly for young children and teenage girls. Our School WASH program, supported by partners like Milacron, ADP, and CBRE, is working to address these challenges, ensuring that students have access to the essential resources they need to stay healthy, learn effectively, and secure a brighter future. Other partners contributing to this important initiative include: Dupont, PepsiCo, Oracle, and Pentair.

In 2024, both Milacron and CBRE renewed its partnership with Safe Water Network India, helping to expand our efforts in providing comprehensive WASH services. In addition to providing schools much needed equipment and program materials for teachers in water and sanitation, we will also be developing a nutritional component to the initiative.