Building Partnerships for children’s health Presented by Benita Mayosi Medical Research Council Medical Research CouncilNIRU

Why School Sanitation?  Emerged as a response to the high level of intestinal parasites amongst school going children in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.  Three pronged approach  Sanitation audits done at schools

Why the guidelines  No clear agreement on minimum standards  Principals and SGBs unsure of roles and responsibilities  Government departments passing the buck

What’s the bottom line? primary school = learners learner : toilet ratio  34 : 1 learner : washbasin ratio  62 :1 BoysGirls Junior (195 boys girls) 8 toilets 3 basins 4 basins Senior (365 boys girls) 4 toilets + 8 urinals 13 toilets 4 basins 7 basins

School sanitation audit - Khayelitsha School Total number of learners Number of toilets No of learners / toilets No of working toilets No of pupils / working toilet A B C D E F G H I J K L Audit compiled by Benita Mayosi and Estelle Lawrence, May 2005

Underlying Causes  Structural  Technical  Education  Management

Working towards solutions School Sanitation Task Team: -Medical Research Council -WCED Physical Resources Planning -Department of Public Works -PAWC School Health -PAWC Health Promotion -PAWC Environmental Health -City of Cape Town Environmental Health

The School Sanitation Guidelines  Put school sanitation on the agenda  Set basic standards  Clarify roles and responsibilities  Address a range of school sanitation problems  Hold responsible stakeholders accountable

1. Setting standards  Schools should have sufficient toilets and washbasins for learners needs  The toilets and washbasins must always be in a working order  The toilets must always be clean and hygienic  Learners need clean water and soap to wash hands after using the toilet  Female/Girls’ toilets need sanitary bins  Ensure personal safety and privacy of learners  Accommodation for learners with special needs

2. Roles and responsibilities School Circuit Manager Learners Educators Cleaning staff SGB & SMT Environmental Health Monitoring and Evaluation Public Works Building and maintenance WCED Physical Resources Planning Technical support Approves emergency repairs and unscheduled maintenance

3. Day to day maintenance  Behavioural change  Regular cleaning of toilets  Regular inspection of taps and flushing devises  Repairing damaged washers, taps, cisterns and flushing mechanisms  Make use of learners- monitors, prefects or sanitation committee  Ensure access to clean water, toilet paper, soap and serviced sanitary bins

4. Troubleshooting  Urgent repairs  Emergency repairs  Scheduled maintenance

The way forward  Communication  Monitoring and Evaluation  Advocacy  Ratios  Grade R