Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in South African Schools

MIET AFRICA is working with UNICEF and the Mpumalanga Department of Education (MDE) to implement and test an expanded CSTL model that aims to increase the number of schools that meet national quality standards in order to improve learning outcomes. The programme is being implemented in 393 schools comprising 101 Maths, Science and Technology Academy (MSTA) high schools and 292 feeder primary schools in all four education districts.

The lessons from the work in the province will inform national scale-up by the DBE to all schools in South Africa. CSTL Mpumalanga is funded by UNICEF and runs from 1 March 2016 to 30 August 2018.

Water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) is a key component and includes a comprehensive school-level intervention in five intervention areas: audit existing facilities and practices; develop advocacy and training material; conduct advocacy and capacity-building in school communities; supply facilities for handwashing in selected schools; supply and manage products (toothpaste, tooth brushes and soap) secured by UNICEF to promote an enabling school environment for WASH.

Instead of tippy taps, an innovative group handwashing station was piloted in two schools and a patent-free design finalized, for use throughout SA. Twenty-six additional stations will be built during 2018. With 16 learners able to wash their hands simultaneously, the station makes it easier for teachers to incorporate handwashing and toothbrushing into daily routines and to monitor the learners’ technique.

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