WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

The author is Teacher

ALLETH Y. JARLEGO

Water, sanitation and hygiene education in schools (WinS) develop life skills and contributes to the education goal of positive behavior change for young Filipinos. Through creating a safe environment and developing positive hygiene behavior, WinS contributes to reducing the vulnerabilities of children and increasing their resilience, especially at times of disaster and emergency.

The Department of Education (DepEd), through the Comprehensive WASH in Schools Policy (DepEd Order No. 10, s. 2016, “Policy and Guidelines for the Implementation of the Comprehensive WASH in Schools Program”) established standards for WASH services that needs to be ensured in all schools.

Invoking the National WASH in Schools Policy, DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2017, “Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy”, mandates that schools “provide women, girl-child and adolescent-friendly facilities that meet the standards for Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)”.

The Comprehensive WASH in School Policy also recognizes the application of the SchoolBased Management (SBM) approach in improving and sustaining WASH in Schools, particularly through school planning and budgeting, partnerships and linkages.

Access to safe water, functional toilets and proper hygiene practice in schools creates the safe and conducive environment for children to optimally participate and achieve the learning outcomes.

Thus, the need to ensure that water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities are adequate in number and well-maintained and the necessary hygiene and cleaning supplies are available in schools.

With clean water supply, children are protected from water-related diseases and are able to practice proper hand and oral hygiene. In addition, toilets and other facilities are properly used and easily maintained.

Clean and functional toilets that have privacy, proper ventilation, and are in visible, safe and accessible location ensure that children are able to relieve themselves with comfort and dignity. Moreover, adolescent girls are able to manage their menstruation effectively when toilets have water, soap and garbage bins for sanitary pads disposal.

Group handwashing facilities and soap enable children to wash their hands and brush their teeth at scheduled time of the day, and thereby creating the routine for habit formation. Individual handwashing facilities with soap at strategic places such as in or nearby toilets and eating places enable children and adults, including food handlers and teachers, to wash their hands after using the toilets and before eating or handling food.

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I at Sampaloc Elementary School