Discussing WASH in School.

Discussing WASH in School.

IRC, the International Water and Sanitation Center and UNICEF have organized a web based debate to elaborate on how to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in schools. The 4 weeks debate will focus a different themes called weekly statements. Right now less than half of all primary schools have access to safe water and just over a third have adequate sanitation in countries where data are available.

IRC, The International Water and Sanitation Resource Center and UNICEF have organized a web based debate to elaborate on how to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in schools. The 4 weeks debate starting 7 April to 6 may 2011 will focus a different themes every week called weekly statements.

  • We have failed on WASH in Schools as there are many examples out there that reflect that WASH in schools has not worked.
  • We should not continue our WASH in schools programmes if schools are not well maintained. Nor should we continue with WASH in schools programmes if hygiene education is not well enforced in the long term.
  • We don’t need more evidence for WASH in Schools. It is the right for every child.
  • WASH in Schools has failed in setting standards and monitoring WASH in Schools coverage

The Outcomes of this discussion will feed into a European Call for Action on WASH in Schools that is scheduled on 24 and 25 May in The Hague. The international Call to Action for WASH in Schools campaign (www.unicef.org/wash/schools) was launched in 2010 calling on decision-makers to increase investments and on concerned stakeholders to plan and act in cooperation, so that all children go to a school with child-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

A summary of the discussions on the debate will be published by IRC on their website.

How can you contribute? To be part of the debate, sign up to create your account at http://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/We_have_failed_on_WASH_in_Schools

For more info. Contact Marielle Snel, IRC 

IRC. www.irc.nl

UNICEF. www.unicef.org/wash/schools

Source News: www.source.irc.nl