- What is the current state of WASH facilities in your school? What improvements have you led or would like to lead?
The WASH facilities in my school are satisfactory. There is a borehole in the school which provides adequate potable water for the school’s use. There are water points at all strategic locations. The school has enough toilets for boys, girls and staff, which are all clearly labelled. There are also wash hand basins at the school kitchen. Pupils would wash their hands with running water and soap before and after eating.
- How do you engage learners, staff, and the community in maintaining hygiene standards and facilities?
I engage them through regular sensitisations.
- What challenges do you face in implementing WASH initiatives, and how have you addressed them?
Our main challenge in implementing WASH initiative is the behaviour of some of our pupils. They do not have the home training on using water to clean themselves when they visit the toilet. Secondly, if they mess the toilets, they would not clean it. So, these are big challenges for us especially the latter because the cleaner cannot stay at the toilets all day. Second, if we place soap in our toilet compartments, they would disappear too soon. Thirdly, our girls are not supplied with sanitary materials even though some of them have reached puberty.
- How can school leaders advocate for better WASH support from local authorities or development partners?
School leaders can advocate for better WASH support from local authorities or development partners by writing funding proposals to them and making follow-up from time to time. However, I must acknowledge the fact that it is very difficult to obtain WASH support in the Regions. Prior to the intervention of MRC Holland in my current school, our borehole/water system was not functioning. I approached almost all the local authorities but to no avail. Luckily, when MRC Holland came in, they fixed the problem. Now, the borehole is working well.