School Sanitation & Hygiene Education (SSHE)
Programme Details
Duration
2006-2007
Target Location
Shadrack Kimalel Primary school, Dr. Livingstone Primary school and Morrison’s Primary school (schools around informal settlements)
Beneficiaries: Pupils, teachers and parents
Partner
UNICEF
Project purpose
To improve the quality of life of children and teachers in 3 public schools by improving water supply and sanitation services in addition to enhancing hygiene practice
Project description
Since the establishment of Free Primary Education (FPE) by the government in the year 2003, there was a great influx of children in to the public schools that rose up suddenly with no structural adjustments such as the water and environmental sanitation facilities. The government provides for most of the other amenities, but the allocation for water ands sanitation is on average Kshs 8 per child, per annum.
Generally, the public primary schools experience poor sanitary and hygienic conditions, characterized by the absence of properly functioning water supply, sanitation, and hand washing facilities. Consequently, lack of proper water and sanitation in the schools contributes to heavily used and filthy toilets, resulting in open defecation around the school compound, increased rates of school drop outs especially girls who would rather not go to school due to lack of privacy and sanitary towels, increased childhood illnesses resulting in poor school attendance and subsequently poor class performance. Since these children spend a significant amount of time in and around their schools, such situations have a major impact on their wellbeing. MnU funded by UNICEF, is undertaking to rehabilitate sanitation facilities in selected schools around the slums and to conduct hygiene education. In addition , MnU staff and friends have established a kitty to provide sanitary towels to girls in some target schools.
Expected Output:
- Improved hygiene and sanitation condition in three primary schools
- Reduction of hygiene and environment related illness
- Reduction of school drop outs especially girls at puberty age
- Creation of an enabling learning environment
- Implementation of hardware component (construction or rehabilitation of sanitary facilities)
- Enhanced hygiene through education