WATSAN
More than 60% of the existing schools do not have adequate safe drinking water or toilet facilities. In cases where the toilet exists, it often does not function due to lack of water supply. Lack of access to sanitation and drinking water across schools in Kolkata and in districts has been accepated as one of the primary contributors to the problem of the high drp out rate among children who are enrolled into formal schools.
NGos are also members of the ‘Sarvo Shiksha Avijan Committee” of Department of Education, West Bengal constituted to universalizing elementary education has shared this project with various authorities. While interacting with various school authorities, teacher’s groups, Municipal bodies and local level NGOs it was revealed that better water and sanitation facilities in many schools were dire necessities.
Keeping this fact in mind that NGOs has initiated the Water and Sanitation Project (WATSAN) in formal schools. with support from Goal (Ireland) in 2005. The success of this programme in 2005 wit 25 schools and 50 schools in 2006, NGOs undertook the WATSAN activities in 200 schools in 2007 and the same has been completed successfully. The awareness team members of the WATSAN Project carried out health and personal hygiene awareness programme in schools. Children were made aware on the use of the newly constructed WATSAN facilities. Use of water purifier was also demonstrated. The idea of Safai Committee for every school was proposed by the awareness team to the school authorities, so that the children can take care of the assets on a regular basis. Many of these NGOs has also interacted with the teachers and the members of the managing committees of schools in groups with a view to ensuring better maintenance of the facilities created.
The experienceof the WATSAN Project has brought out other problems of schools. It was revealed that in many places the school buildings were in a very bad shape and need immediate repair. The school also neds arrangement for sports and games facilities for children. NGOs has plans to include these components in its future plans.