One must take account of issues such as: Who decides on technology? Who collects water? Who cleans the toilets? Who is on committees? Who decides on payments and collects money? Who provides free labour? Who participates in O&M? Who teaches children how to use facilities? Who decides on programme strategy in the district? In the village? Whose children benefit most? Benefit least? Who pays? How much? and Who does not pay?

Community members District/country personnel and institutions Children, parents, teachers and head teachers Health workers and volunteers Traditional leaders Masons Community groups and institutions Parent-teacher associations (PTA’s) and Education Committees Water and Sanitation Committee Local government and Development Committees Women’s groups and Self-Help (and savings) Groups Youth Groups Contractors District officials, chief managers, chief administrators Engineering department Ed

The vision: Main actors involved and their roles A school sanitation, water and hygiene education programme Child - a key resource School - knowledge centre Teacher - sensitive leader Community - an equal partner Government - committed facilitator

Unfortunately, the high expectations of school health and hygiene education programmes have not always been fulfilled. In many countries, schools are not safe for children due to neglect of the operation and maintenance of facilities. In addition hygiene education given to children has not always been relevant or effective.

Unfortunately, the high expectations of school health and hygiene education programmes have not always been fulfilled. In many countries, schools are not safe for children due to neglect of the operation and maintenance of facilities. In addition hygiene education given to children has not always been relevant or effective.

Implementing children’s rights: Children have the right to be as healthy and happy as possible. Being clean, healthy and having clean water and proper sanitation facilities contribute to a happy childhood.

Reduces incidence of disease and worm infections: If school sanitation and hygiene facilities are absent, or are badly maintained and used, schools become health hazards. Environmental cleanliness: Presence and the proper use of facilities will prevent pollution of the environment and limit health hazards for the community at large.

ffective learning: Children perform better when they function in a hygienic and clean environment. Increases enrolment of girls: The lack of private sanitary facilities for girls can discourage parents from sending girls to school and contributes to the drop out of girls, particularly at puberty.

Investing in school sanitation and hygiene education has many benefits. It is in essence an investment in our future, which promotes:

The hardware components include drinking water, hand washing and excreta disposal, plus solid waste disposal facilities in and around the school compound. The software components are the activities that promote conditions at school and practices of school staff and children that help to prevent water and sanitation-related diseases and parasites