Promoting a culture of hygiene among children

Children and teachers have been working together to create a culture of hand washing in Fiji.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that in order to stop the spread of the virus, all of us have a part to play. And what better example of children and teachers from Lautoka Andhra Sangam School, who are supporting each other to create a culture of hand washing and making it a social norm in the school environment.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, my role has been paramount since

I am responsible for looking after the Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH) facilities in our school,” says Keshni Prasad, WASH Coordinator at Lautoka Andhra Sangam School.

“Hand washing is monitored by us, teachers. The teacher on duty for the week is responsible for putting bars of soap next to all of the taps. We also move around to monitor hand washing,” Ms Prasad said. Ms Prasad says to help teachers, senior students have been assigned to assist in monitoring hand washing in school. “Together, with the teacher on duty, the WASH student champions ensure that all taps have soap and all classrooms have liquid soap.”

“Sometimes, I go and remind teachers that the soap has all been used at hand washing facilities so that students have access to soap to wash their hands in school,” says Maca Valentine, 12, WASH student champion.

Another WASH student champion, Ritvik Rajan, 12, says, “I have been encouraging all younger students, and even students who are my senior to make sure they are hand washing to stop the spread of diseases.”

Making hand ties accessible

washing

facili

Access to hand hygiene in schools is essential to promoting quality education as children are able to continue learning in a safe and healthy environment.

In addition to promoting a culture of hygiene among children, has also ensured that there is adequate hand hygiene facilities.

“Before, we did not have many taps. However, following the COV

ID-19 pandemic, we have installed about 10 additional taps in the school,” Ms Prasad said.

UNICEF’s WASH

Programme

UNICEF, through its WASH in Schools Programme has been reaching teachers in Fiji with the training and support they need to ensure children continue learning in a clean and safe environment and most importantly, promote a culture of hand hygiene among children.

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Schools