Engaging Stakeholders on WASH Project in Primary Schools

WE REACH has been engaging with the County government of Kakamega through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education (MOE) right from the start of the project. WE REACH held an introductory meeting with representatives of the two ministries whereby various WASH issues in primary schools were discussed. The County Director of Public Health who was present noted that there is need to address poor condition of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in primary schools and therefore welcomes all partners who supports this course. During this meeting with the ministries, 10 schools were prioritised for the pilot project. From our baseline survey (2019) that we conducted in these schools; we noted two things i.e. school stakeholders are not WASH innovative, lack of ownership of school health. Therefore, need for more sensitisation and training of school management stakeholders as school Board of Management (BOM) members, teachers and children.  

WE REACH believes in sustainability of any project. This project is designed to educate BOM members on their role in school health using government set standards and policies (Kenya School Health Policy). This approach empowers them to become their own advocates in addressing sanitation and hygiene challenges facing their respective schools. Teachers are also trained as WASH champions to ensure that they lead WASH activities and school health clubs. Children are also trained through health clubs on good hygiene practices using skill-based approach CHAST (Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training). These interventions ensure continuity of the project and that all school stakeholders own the project. This will be good for these schools when WE REACH ends the project. 

Towards this end, WE REACH has already conducted two BOM members training meetings with Emulele and Esokone primary schools. The meetings were attended by Sub County WASH Coordinator Dorice Ogweche and UK based WE REACH consultant Steve Ashton. It was noted that there is a big gap in WASH knowledge and skills among the BOM Members in schools as well as members do not know their roles in school health.  But with clear understanding of roles and responsibilities, the BOM members can help in eliminating water related diseases by setting good health standards in schools.  

At the moment all schools are closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic but we will continue the training immediately schools are reopened.