By Wasim Shaikh, Program Coordinator (WASH Unit)
According to the World Health Organization, clean water and proper hygiene in schools are essential for children’s education, health, and equality. They help every child attend school, reduce sickness and child deaths, and promote gender equality. Inadequate sanitation facilities affect all students. However, girls face additional challenges during menstruation, struggling with hygiene, dignity, and attendance. Many girls miss school due to the lack of safe and private toilets. A World Bank study in 2005 found that girls can miss up to four days every month because of this. Over a year, they lose 10%–20% of school time – a serious loss for their learning.
The Situation in Ambethan School
Zilla Parishad School in Ambethan, Khed block, Pune, has over 800 students, including many adolescent girls. But the school’s sanitation facilities were very poor. For girls, there were only four toilets and no urinals. These toilets were not clean, lacked privacy, and often could not be used. The boys’ toilet block was incomplete. It had no urinal pans or doors. Boys often had to urinate on walls, making the surroundings unhygienic and unpleasant for everyone. The lack of proper facilities affected students’ comfort, dignity, and health every single day.
WASH in Schools – The Change
To solve this problem, CIE Automotive India Limited partnered with CYDA under the ‘WASH in Schools’ initiative. The goal was to comprehensively enhance the school’s sanitation facilities while fostering a culture of health awareness among students.
The girls’ sanitation facilities have been upgraded. The new sanitation block has 5 toilets and 11 urinals, a significant improvement from the previous 4 toilets and no urinals. A changing room is constructed, and a sanitary pad disposal machine is installed to improve hygiene and facilities for girls. Girls received training on menstrual health, giving them correct information and breaking the silence around the topic.
For boys, urinal pans and doors are fitted in their toilets, making them private, safe, and clean. Cleaning tools and hygiene products are provided so the facilities could be maintained every day.
Students also took part in hygiene education sessions. They learned about handwashing, personal hygiene, safe toilet use, and menstrual health. IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials are displayed around the school to promote awareness and encourage good hygiene practices among students. Cleaning tools and hygiene products are provided to keep the facilities clean. These supplies help maintain hygiene and ensure the sanitation block remains in good condition.To make the school more sustainable, a solar panel system is installed to save energy and reduce costs.
Impact on the School
The difference is clear. Girls now have clean, private, and safe toilets. They attend school more regularly and feel confident throughout the day. Students follow better hygiene practices, and the risk of illness from poor sanitation has reduced. The school is now a cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming place for all. The ‘WASH in Schools’ project at Ambethan shows how better infrastructure and awareness together can protect children’s health, dignity, and future.
“These newly established, safe, and hygienic physical amenities will certainly contribute to the health and well-being of our girl students. It will not only support them in maintaining personal hygiene but also encourage regular school attendance, especially during menstruation.” – Mr. Rohidas Yelwande, School Teacher, Zilla Parishad School
