School Environment Improvement Program - Nepal

In May last week 2018, Refresher Training on WASH, life skills, and nature club management was held in the three schools of Bhirkot village, Dolakha district.

1. Narayani Secondary School, 28 participants

2. Bhimeshwor Basic School,  27 participants

3. Ganesh Basic School,  26 participants

The participants included students, teachers and representatives from School Management Committee and Parents Teachers Association.

The objective of the training was to make nature clubs and other school stakeholders aware on

(a) the importance of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Menstruation Hygiene Management, and

(b) their role to improve such facilities in schools.

During the training, orientation on life skills as well as sessions on how to better manage school nature clubs was also held. On the last day of the training, the participants prepared six-month action plan to improve the environment in their respective school.

Through the training, the participants learned about water contamination, water purification methods, sanitation and hygiene, girl-friendly toilet, waste management, personal hygiene, first aid, possible activities for nature club activities.

We thank you for your continued support.

ECCA recently constructed separate boys and girl friendly toilets in Shree Sishu Shakshar Basic School of Mechinagar -1, Jhapa. The school has 193 female students.

Lack of proper toilets and water faciltiies had been problematic for both students and the teachers. The number of girls in this government school is much higher than boys. Due to lack of girl friendly toilet in the school, girl students have been facing comparatively much more adjustment problems during school time. "It was not uncommon for 2 to 3 girls taking leave everyday due to menstruation related issue", shared a female teacher.

Chadani, president of school's nature club, aged 13, has been witnessing different kinds of problem regarding menstrual hygiene. She expressed “We used to take lot of leave and we were also not able to express our feelings with our teachers, parents and even our colleagues. But after construction of girl friendly toilet and menstrual hygiene training conducted by ECCA, now we don’t take leave that often during menstruation. We now feel more comfortable talking about it."

ECCA has also guided the school club, such that the students themselves take care of cleaning the toilet, as part of their daily routine.

“Now, all our children are much happier. Especially, girl students are less compelled to go home during menstruation. The school club started to provide sanitary pads to female students without any hesitation. Also, with facility of changing room, towels, soaps the students are having a more comfortable learning environment”, says the principal. “We are very thankful towards ECCA for helping us create this environment”, he added.

Overall, the construction of the toilets and related facilities has contributed to better hygiene and higher attendance of students. We are very thankful for your support.