The WASH in Schools (WinS) Project is a school-centered initiative designed to strengthen hygiene, sanitation, and water access across educational institutions through a structured, participatory cycle. Rooted in the 4-phase approach—Assess, Plan, Act, and Monitor—the project enables schools to lead their own WASH improvement journey. The program begins with a bottleneck analysis to identify gaps in water and sanitation systems, followed by the development of a School WASH Improvement Plan, driven by school leaders, teachers, and students. Through teacher training, the formation of WASH Committees and Clubs, and student engagement activities, schools implement hygiene actions that are both practical and sustainable. Monitoring is embedded throughout the process, using the Three-Star Approach to measure progress and encourage continuous improvement. The ultimate goal is to ensure safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient WASH systems in schools—handed over to education authorities for long-term ownership and scalability. This approach not only improves health outcomes but also empowers students and teachers to lead change within their communities.
Schools
Health Center
Community
At the heart of our school-based WASH initiatives is a structured, participatory approach called the WASH in Schools Cycle. This cycle empowers schools to lead their own improvement journeys across four key stages: Assess, Plan, Act, and Monitor. We begin with a bottleneck analysis to understand challenges and develop a tailored School WASH Improvement Plan through inclusive planning sessions. Schools then form a WASH Committee and engage in structured WinS (WASH in Schools) Planning, including theory of change workshops. Through teacher training sessions and the creation of student-led WASH Clubs, schools take ownership of implementing safe hygiene practices and improving facilities. Progress is tracked using a school-led monitoring process that measures changes against the 3-Star Approach, with support through ongoing coaching. Finally, successful programs are formally handed over to education authorities to ensure sustainability and long-term impact. Our work ensures that WASH in schools is not only about infrastructure—but about building the leadership, systems, and behaviors that support healthy learning environments.
2022-2025
Project Coordinator / WASH Institute
Project Officer
