WASH in Schools - WASH Institute

WASH IN SCHOOLS

We build more than just toilets; we build healthy futures by integrating safe water and sanitation facilities with transformative hygiene education in schools.

Get Involved

To aim to provide functional toilets, adequate running water, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education in over 5,000 Indian schools by 2030.

THE CHALLENGE

1 in 4 schools had no separate usable toilet for girls and 1 in 6 schools had no usable toilets (ASER 2024 Report).

72% of school toilets have no running water, while 55% have no handwashing facilities (2020 CAG Audit).

Even where toilets are available, hygiene standards are bad due to poor O&M.

1 in 4 schools lacked access to safe drinking water (ASER 2024 Report).

Most schools don't teach proper hygiene behaviors.

Challenge illustration

OUR APPROACH

We help cities adopt data driven approach to understand the risks, identify gaps, engage communities, and take action for clean toilets, safe wastewater management, and reuse of treated wastewater.

Conduct Baseline Study

We survey existing schools' WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities and evaluate students' knowledge of hygiene practices. This initial data helps us find and prioritize schools that need immediate WASH improvements. 

Design and Build Infrastructure

Once we've identified the school and its needs, we design and construct new, safe, clean water and sanitation facilities that are child-friendly, gender-sensitive, and accessible for children with disabilities. Our toilets contain change rooms with sanitary pad vending machine and incinerator.

Engage Stakeholders

We encourage teachers, parents, school management committees, and government officials to converge and mobilize their support and participation in project activities. We also encourage children to share their input on the design of the WASH facilities to ensure their involvement and foster a sense of ownership. 

Establish School-Owned and Managed O&M of WASH Facilities

To ensure long-term impact, we focus heavily on the sustainability of the WASH facilities. We strengthen school-based institutions by enhancing the capacities of Child Cabinets and School Management Committees (SMCs) to maintain the WASH infrastructure.  

Promote Improved Hygiene Practices

We use extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) tools to instill improved hygiene practices among students and all stakeholders. We develop these tools in consultation with stakeholders to maintain the local context/culture and address regional or local issues. 

OUR IMPACT

Our programs impact change at an ecosystem level - from grassroots to policy making.

200,000+

children have access to improved toilets in their schools 

890+

schools benefitted from our programs

60,000+

adolescent girls trained on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) practices