School Sanitation and Hygiene promotion in Uganda: The Challenge

Outline of presentation
Why use public funds for school sanitation and hygiene? Institutional arrangements in Uganda Expected outputs with the on-going activities Results and impacts Lessons learned The way forward

Why should we use public funds for school sanitation and hygiene?
Sanitation is a basic human right Schools provide an excellent opportunity for life-long changes in behavior Targeting children as change agents Public health Poor sanitation contributes to school dropout and low literacy rates, especially among girl child.

Institutional framework for school sanitation and hygiene

Ministry of FPEP Donors Unicef, Others Ministry of Health

IMSC
Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment Districts C A O, D N T Sub-county Sub-county Chief and Sectoral Committee

Ministry of Education

SMT

Schools

PTA

Expected outputs with on-going activities

Expected outputs
(1) Adequate sanitation facilities to the schools (2) Changes in behaviors (3) Creating demand for sanitation

Activities undertaken
(1) Construction of facilities using private sector (2) Teachers training (3) Mass media (4) Continuous monitoring and follow-up (5) Mobilization and advocacy

Results and impacts

Teachers training proven to be relevant, has resulted in increased advocacy and increased resource mobilization for sanitation. Ratio of students to stance reduced from 700 to 100, improvements of water supply and more provision of hand-washing facilities. Economic development from using the private sector. Increased awareness of importance of sanitation, which is shown by an increased community participation. The unit cost. Science clubs are being reactivated.

Lessons learned
1. Political commitment is vital for the program. 2. Dont focus on health benefit alone, focus on self-esteem, convenience, privacy, prestige . 3. Working through existing institutions rather than creating program specific structures. 4. Follow-up, monitoring and supervision are very important. 5. Too many players are involved in sanitation. 6. Gender-sensitivity is essential when implementing school sanitation.

The way forward

Advocacy for political commitment in place Find a home for sanitation Build capacities Integration and holistic approach Continuous monitoring component Offering technological choices in terms of age, disability, gender = demand driven