On the Ground

The schools face serious deficiencies in sanitation, handwashing facilities, and menstrual hygiene.

Dewas, located in Madhya Pradesh, faces significant economic and social challenges, particularly in rural areas where inadequate sanitation remains a critical issue.
Open defecation is widespread in the region, as is the lack of proper sanitation facilities and awareness about hygiene practices. Many schools in Dewas struggle to carry out their educational mission due to insufficient water supply and inadequate sanitation infrastructure — including broken toilets and poorly maintained handwashing stations.

Throughout the region, the risk of waterborne diseases is high. This situation contributes to one of the highest rates of school absenteeism in India, especially among adolescent girls who are often unable to manage their menstrual hygiene safely and privately.

The two public schools in the municipality of Sonkatch — Government Middle School, Saver and Government Higher Secondary School, Bawai — serve over 574 students who experience these challenges firsthand. There is an urgent need to construct new, hygienic and gender-segregated facilities for boys and girls.

Currently, both schools fall short of the standards set by the Swachh Vidyalaya (Clean School) programme, launched in 2014 as part of the national Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission).

Immediate action is needed to provide additional sanitation facilities and handwashing stations, as well as to establish a Menstrual Hygiene and Health (MHH) Lab for adolescent girls.

In Detail

The added value of this project lies in its integrated approach to improving sanitation infrastructure, increasing access to safe drinking water, and disseminating knowledge on hygiene practices in schools. Additionally, the project includes the installation of a rainwater harvesting system to support aquifer recharge and environmental protection.

The project not only focuses on developing WASH infrastructure in schools and homes, but also on building intensive systems to ensure ownership and sustainability of the facilities. In addition to the improved infrastructure, great emphasis is placed on strengthening knowledge and promoting behavioural change around hygiene among students.

Improved facilities — such as newly constructed handwashing stations and toilets — play a key role in encouraging behavioural change among students. These enhanced facilities provide a clean and comfortable environment, raising awareness of hygiene. Accessible, well-equipped installations promote regular handwashing and proper sanitation practices, ensuring privacy, especially for girls. By addressing these basic needs, students develop a positive attitude toward personal hygiene, generating a lasting impact on their health and behaviour.

Strengthening School Management Committees (SMCs) is essential for maintaining WASH facilities in schools. Empowered SMCs actively participate in decisions regarding maintenance and infrastructure improvement. They oversee the proper use of resources for constructing and maintaining facilities, such as toilets and handwashing stations.

They also engage with the school community to raise awareness about preserving these facilities, fostering a sense of responsibility and ownership.

By involving SMCs in planning, monitoring, and maintenance, schools can establish sustainable practices that foster a clean and healthy environment for students.

The creation of a Child Cabinet in schools further supports the maintenance of these facilities. This student-led group can serve as a promoter and leader of hygiene practices in the school community. By involving students in decision-making, the project promotes responsibility and ownership.

The Child Cabinet can also take part in environmental protection through Mission Life, an initiative by the Government of India aimed at combating climate change. The Cabinet also aligns with Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, ensuring coherence and synergy in improving sanitation and hygiene awareness.

WASH education and awareness, together with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategies, are integrated into the school curriculum, ensuring continuous learning about hygiene practices.

The involvement of local partners — including the School Management Committee, local government, and the Child Cabinet — throughout the entire project cycle, from conceptualisation to post-implementation, ensures a school-led approach, alignment with local regulations, and continuity of operations. This collaborative model fosters ownership, promotes sustainability, and enhances the project’s overall impact on improving school sanitation and knowledge dissemination.

Sustainability Outlook

This project prioritises sustainability. It extends beyond infrastructure to focus on behavioural change and the integration of best practices, ensuring community ownership and long-term impact.

By strengthening School Management Committees (SMCs) and Child Cabinets, schools can establish sustainable practices that maintain a clean and healthy environment for students and ensure long-term viability, empowering children and communities to maintain WASH facilities over time.

Moreover, the interventions are designed to strengthen existing government systems, ensuring long-term sustainability. Government stakeholders will be involved from the outset and closely engaged throughout the project to ensure accountability and continuity upon its completion.

Constructing or renovating toilets in schools is relatively simple, but making them functional and used requires a shift in mindset and behaviour across a large group of children, as well as strong commitment from educators.