A water, sanitation and hygiene in school programme (WASH) has been launched in Napak district in Karamoja. The programme aims to support districts in Karamoja deliver National Wash standards in all schools across the region.
The standards include:
1. 1.5 litres of safe drinking water provided every day to all learners and staff.
2.Separate latrines for all girls, boys and children with disabilities.
3. One hand washing facility for every 40 learners with water and soap in all school latrines.
4. Schools having annual budgets to operate and maintain all school WASH facilities.
5. Hygiene education manuals used to educate all pupils and students through health clubs.
6. Waste management system.
"Schools in Karamoja are seriously lacking quality water sanitation and hygiene which affects the environment in which our children are learning" Said state minister for Karamoja Moses Kizige at the launch of the WASH program. The Wash program in Karamoja is to benefit 56,000 children in 100 schools.
Speaking at the launch of the program, UNICEF representative in Uganda, Doreen Mulenga said meeting the national WASH standard is critical to children staying in school, performing well in school and keeping healthy. Doreen Mulenga says the practice of hand washing with soap and clean water can reduce diarrhea by around 40% among young children. Diarrhea is the third largest killer of young children in Uganda with around 30 children dying from it across the country.