Introduction
Devgaon, a village in Parbhani district with a population of approximately 1900, faced significant challenges in ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation for its Zilla Parishad school. Located 15 kilometers from the main Pathari block, the school serves 136 students from grades 1 to 6. Despite being a vital institution for the community, the school struggled with inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and neglect from the surrounding community. The lack of proper facilities such as hand wash stations, inadequate waste disposal, and infrastructure hindered both the learning environment and overall student well-being, calling for immediate action to address these pressing issues.
This story narrates the struggles and challenges faced by the school, the proactive measures taken by the community, and the transformational role of the Centre for Youth Development and Activities in improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) standards.
Challenges and Struggles
The school faced multiple challenges that hindered its ability to provide a safe and conducive learning environment:
- Sanitation Issues:
- Villagers near the school habitually dumped garbage and stale food on the school grounds.
- Absence of compound wall allowed animals to roam freely, leading to further degradation of school property.
- Infrastructure Problems:
- The absence of a compound wall resulted in damaged water tanks, hand pumps and the existing hand wash station.
- Limited funds prevented necessary renovations and construction projects.
- Lack of planning and coordination:
- The Gram Panchayat and school management struggled to allocate resources effectively.
- There was no structured approach to prioritize infrastructural improvements.
Intervention
CYDA played a crucial role in addressing the WASH-related challenges faced by the school. The assessment of the existing infrastructure revealed a critical gap: the lack of a functional hand wash station. In response, innovative solutions were implemented, including the installation of a simple, cost-effective hand wash station that could be easily de-installed and re-installed as necessary. Collaboration with the school management committee, Gram Panchayat, and villagers played a crucial role in raising community engagement, aligning efforts and resources towards improving the school’s hygiene.
Community Involvement
The community took proactive steps to address the issues through collective efforts. The Gram Sabha allocated funding for school development through the 14th Finance Commission, while villagers raised Rs.70,000/- for repairs and painting, demonstrating their dedication to enhancing the school environment. Additionally, the installation of a hand pump with an electronic motor, funded through the school management’s advocacy, along with repairs and painting of classrooms, contributed to creating a more child-friendly and sustainable environment for students.
Impact
The initiative led to a transformative change in the school’s WASH standards, benefiting both students and the broader community. Improved hygiene and sanitation were achieved with the installation of a new hand wash station, which provided students with a reliable and convenient way to practice hygiene, developing better health conditions. Furthermore, the villagers stopped dumping garbage on the school grounds, resulting in a cleaner and more pleasant environment. In terms of infrastructure, the construction of a compound wall and the installation of paver blocks helped secure and maintain the school grounds. Repairs and renovations also created a welcoming atmosphere that motivated students to attend school regularly. The collaborative effort empowered the community, instilling a sense of ownership among villagers and developing a culture of responsibility towards the school. Ultimately, the improved environment allowed students to focus on learning without the distractions.
A Testimonial of Transformation
School Principal Mr. Hadule expressed his gratitude, saying, “When we discuss school cleanliness, issues like missing valves, damaged hand pumps, and high repair costs are common. The innovative hand wash station has resolved these problems efficiently. I thank the villagers, Gram Panchayat, and guidance of CYDA for their unwavering support in transforming our school.”
(This article is contributed by Kalyani Mudaliar, Documentation officer at CYDA)
