Rationale
for the focus on schools (and their communities):
- 50% of schools in the developing world currently do not have
access to clean water while 75% do not have access to adequate
sanitation.
- Approximately one-third of the population in South Asia and
Sub Saharan Africa (areas of greatest watsan need) are of school
going age.
- Children are significantly more vulnerable to water borne diseases
- Programs launched in schools can, with the right stimuli, gain
momentum in their communities and are often the best way to ensure
long-term behavior changes within a population. (Children get
to hear the same consistent message for years).
- Improved attendance, performance and retention, particularly
of girls, have been seen in schools where watsan is provided
.
- Effective hygiene education can be measured, using pre and
post surveys, by the reduction in disease and can serve as one
indicator of success.
Rationale for the focus on hygiene education
- Hygiene education helps students establish a clear link between
the water-borne diseases they are commonly afflicted with and
their own hygiene practices
- Improved hygiene is seen to be the single most important factor
in reducing diarrheal episodes.
| Table
I: Providing access to clean water, sanitation
facilities and hygiene education has been shown to reduce
diarrheal episodes dramatically. |
|
