Bokod Central School models hand wash facility

BOKOD Central School defines hand hygiene as a single most effective approach to prevent the spread of infections using their newly built 13 faucet handwashing facility.

Determined to improve hygiene among the learners and enable themselves to develop life-long positive hygiene and sanitation behaviors, grade six pupils exemplified the correct hand washing procedure to the younger levels of their school. Daily hand washing and toothbrushing were introduced as essential package of Comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices in achieving optimal health and nutrition in apprehension to the Department of Education (DepED) order no. 10, series of 2016 or the Policy and Guidelines for WASH in schools (WinS).

On July 31, Bokod Central School celebrated the nutrition month with the theme “Kumain Nang Wasto At Maging Aktibo, Push Natin To!” (Eat right and be active, let’s push this) and was enjoined by various partner agencies and stakeholders. The celebration gives particular prominence on healthy balanced meal, physical activity and strongly admonished on the sedentary lifestyles of individuals. The program speakers adjoined and stressed impressiveness to the establishment of the 13 faucet wash trough and put emphasis on adequate sanitation, together with good hygiene and safe water, are fundamental to good health and to social and economic development for every learner. “Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd” (operation plan on health in DepEd) flagship programs were as well introduced with representation and strong engagement from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Municipal Health Office, Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) and other partakers. All grade level learners demonstrated wash, sanitation and hygiene activities precedent the school based feeding.

Completion and implementation of the crucial indicators of WASH befit the strong advocacy of Bokod Central School, establishing group handwashing facility with daily group hand washing and tooth brushing activities. The project initiation isn’t an ordinary situation to handle at all, but a travail survived for consequential duration. Management of the School, headed by the School Principal Emilyn Medina and Parents Teachers Association President Murphy Pacya, engaged in public and private partnership to conceptualize and pursue the hand wash project, a true thing that exists. Seeing the children championing wash practices worth the struggles of implementation.

Partnership and responsibility invigorate the family of Bokod Central School towards a lifelong learner development. A hand laid, the touch felt course a discordance, joined.