Background/Problem Statement
The education department of Panchayat Samiti Talasari monitors 154 Zilla Parishad schools and many of these schools have problems with inadequate toilet and washroom facilities. Recognizing the importance of cleanliness for the health of students and school attendance, Panchayat Samiti Talasari has initiated a project to improve these facilities. Government schools in Talasari taluka lacked proper sanitation facilities. The existing toilets and washrooms in schools were often in poor condition, leading to health problems and low attendance of students, especially girls. Preliminary indicators showed that only a small percentage of toilets were functional and many lacked basic sanitation provisions.
main intervention
To address this issue, the Panchayat Samiti Talasari, in collaboration with the community, implemented Project WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). The initiative focuses on repairing and rebuilding school toilets to make them clean and accessible. The project uses community participation and local resources for maximum impact and sustainability.
Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this project are students of Zilla Parishad schools in Talasari. Till date, the project has repaired and reconstructed 14 toilets, which has directly improved the sanitation facilities of hundreds of students. Our goal is to complete 70 toilets, which will impact thousands of students and provide them with a healthy learning environment. The project started in April 2024 and is in the process of repairing and reconstructing 70 toilets in various schools in Talasari in phases. The progress of the project is closely monitored through regular site visits and evaluations by the Panchayat Samiti and Education Department officials. A comprehensive feedback mechanism has been set up, involving school staff and students, to ensure that the facilities meet their needs and are well maintained.
The initiative has significantly improved the key performance indicators (KPIs) under the Aspirational Block Programme in Talasari. Notably, it has increased the percentage of functional girls’ toilets in schools and reduced the dropout rate of students, highlighting the positive impact of the Project WASH initiative on the education sector in Talasari.
Lessons learned
The key lesson of this program is that continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms are necessary to maintain the quality and usefulness of facilities. In addition, community participation is crucial for the success and sustainability of sanitation.
