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Habitat School Sanitation Project Guwahati Completion Report - UTI
Habitat School Sanitation Project Guwahati Completion Report - UTI
With Support of
WASH is the collective term for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Due to their interdependent
nature, these three core issues are grouped together to represent a growing sector.3 Water
(W) focuses on the availability and access to water, quality of water and the journey to the
water. Sanitation (S) includes access and use of basic toilets, Solid-liquid waste
management and overall facilitating community led initiatives for better sanitation. The body
of work on hygiene (H) is aimed at inculcating and nurturing good practices which lead to
better health. This includes behaviours changing activities and spreading awareness among
the community for better long term sustainability.
The current project supported by UTI Mutual Funds was aimed at imparting hygiene and
sanitation education to students and teachers of 5 schools in the city of Guwahati, Assam
along with equipping the schools with the infrastructure to support education and information
dissemination. The project witnessed the transformation of the existing infrastructure of the
schools with repairs undertaken as well to restore/ bring up to the standard the existing
sanitation structures in the (4) schools along with additionally supporting them with the
construction of new sanitation structures in 5 schools.
Within the project, the behavioral change communication (BCC) activities were also carried
out which targeted better hygiene behavior and was dedicated to imparting education and
awareness on sanitation and hygiene. All students were distributed hygiene kits to equip
them with the necessary tools for better hygiene. Menstrual hygiene sessions were also
conducted to educate adolescent girls about the importance of proper care and good
hygiene during menstruation period along with education on menstruation and menstrual
cycle. Sanitary napkins were distributed to the schools with populations of adolescent girls.
Reusable sanitary pads were also distributed to 200 students. Incinerators for proper
menstrual product disposal and pad vending machines for better availability and accessibility
of hygiene products to the girls were also installed in schools.
1
https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/423
2
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html
3
https://www.unicef.org/wash/3942_3952.html
The global effort to achieve sanitation and water for all by 2030 is extending beyond the
household to include institutional settings, such as, schools, healthcare facilities and
workplaces. This has been reinforced by global education for all strategies highlighting how
water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools improves access to education and learning
outcomes, particularly for girls, by providing a safe, inclusive and equitable learning
environment for all. 5
In the context of India, WASH in schools was incorporated in the District Primary Education
Programme (DPEP), introduced in 1994. From 1994, it became a major component in a
range of water and sanitation programmes. This has helped in shedding light on children’s
health by ensuring basic WASH facilities in schools. In 2000, DPEP was renamed in Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA). It was government of India’s flagship programme for the
universalization of Elementary Education. SSA sought to strengthen infrastructure through
the provision of additional classrooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grants and
school improvement grants. In April 2009, the Government of India passed the Right to
Education (RTE) Act which laid down the norms and standards (including drinking water and
sanitation) for school buildings. It mandated separate toilets for boys and girls and safe &
adequate drinking water for all children. The National Water Policy mandates the provision
of access to clean drinking water in schools across the country as well. Jalmani programme,
a component of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme was geared towards meeting
water quality challenges in rural schools. Under Jalmani, the installation of water purification
systems in rural schools was started in 2008. In December 2011, Supreme Court of India
ruled that “It is imperative that all schools must provide toilet facilities”. Recently, TSC was
revised and rebranded into the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which renewed focus on the
condition of WASH in Indian schools, particularly in the rural parts.
4
https://www.unicef.org/wash/schools/files/UNICEF_WASH_for_School_Children_South_Asia_Report.pdf
5
https://data.unicef.org/resources/wash-in-schools/
1. To construct new units and repair existing school sanitation blocks under School
Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SSHE)
2. To facilitate sessions of BCC for the school students and staff in all 5 schools on use
of toilet, hand wash and general hygiene practices
3. To distribute hygiene kits to students
4. To install incinerators in schools with adolescent girls
5. To supply sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in school for a period of 6 months
Project beneficiaries:
The project beneficiaries are the students of the five schools of Guwahati. The list of schools
is below:
S. No Name of School Location Total students
1 St. Joseph High School Azara 1,000
2 Railway Higher Secondary School Maligaon 806
3 Bengali Higher Secondary School Paltan Bazaar 200
4 Khanamukh Lower Primary School Jalukbari 100
5 Tarini Choudhury Govt. Girls High School Silphukuri 710
Total no of students 2,816
At project inception, the Gopal Boro Higher Secondary School was included in the list
against the present, TC Girls High School. During the project implementation, several
challenges led to a revision in the list of schools with approval from the donor. The reasons
for the revision of identified school is
- Available land provided by the school management was not conducive for the
construction.
- Non-availability of another spot/space for the construction of Sanitation units.
4 - Planned Activities
Following activities were done under this project as per the plan;
Meetings were held with the school authorities in the pre-project phase and the needs and
requirements of the schools were identified. Based on this, a list of schools was prepared
and submitted to the donor for final selection and approval. The list of schools was prepared
keeping in mind – 1.The existing condition of the sanitation facilities 2. The number of
students and number of sanitation facilities available; 3. The existing gaps and need of each
school.
A baseline study was conducted post project conception for the project wherein information
on the status of existing sanitation facilities was recorded. Furthermore, the awareness and
the needs of the students and teachers were also recorded.
The construction of the project was implemented directly by Habitat India through
independent local contractors under the supervision of Habitat India’s technical as well as
program staff. Through the entire process, capacity building was done for the local
contractors. The contractors were oriented on the construction standards and rules of
Habitat India and also on safety procedures and protocols. Regular monitoring visits were
carried out to check on the quality of construction along with the progress.
All construction activities were conducted after obtaining due permissions from the school
managements. The construction schedule was designed in a manner to minimize obstruction
to school activities, schedule and examinations. Care was taken for safety and security of all
workers and personnel involved in the construction along with the safety and security of all
students and teachers. The bulk of construction activities were carried out during school
breaks to minimize hindrance to the construction process and to the students and teachers.
New sanitation units were conceptualized, designed and constructed in all five schools. The
sanitation units were designed keeping in mind the needs of the students, requirement in the
school and the existing space available. Soil and water testing was conducted before
construction and feasibility was determined. Based on this detailed budget was prepared.
The newly constructed sanitation units have the following facilities: water closets,
urinals (for boys), water taps inside the toilets, wash basins for hand-washing with slabs and
water tanks for water storage and connection. The units for girls also have an additional
changing room for changing napkins and clothes. The room also has mirrors.
Photographs of the new units constructed in all the schools are given below:
T.C Government
Girls Higher
Secondary
School
Khanamukh
Lower Primary
School
Bengali Higher
Secondary
School
Repair work was undertaken in four of five schools in the project. The list of the four schools
is given below:
1. TC Government Girls Higher Secondary School
2. Railway Higher Secondary School
3. Bengali Higher Secondary School
4. Khanamukh Lower Primary School
The repair work was carried out after reviewing the existing sanitation structures in the
school. Repair work for St. Joseph School was not undertaken as the existing sanitation
structure was found to be adequate and in working condition.
The repair work was also carried out under the supervision of the Habitat India Technical
Staff. Detailed assessments and measurements were done to ascertain repair scope and
budget for each school.
Before After
Name of School : TC Government Girls Higher Secondary School
Large hoardings were also installed in the premises which show the 12 step hand-washing
technique. The hoardings serve as a reminder to the students and teachers in the school on
the importance of hand-washing and the proper hand-washing technique. The hoardings
also sensitize the students who in the coming years will be joining the school as students.
They are installed to sustainably promote hand-washing among school-going children.
Habitat for Humanity India conducted Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for 30 members on
12th December 2018. Through the session, school teachers and scholars (community
members) were trained as sanitation and hygiene education trainers. They were equipped
with the necessary knowledge to disseminate information further to the students of the five
schools.
Comprehensive BCC sessions were conducted in each school. The various methods used
were:
- Rallies
- School Assembly affirmations on health practices
- Group discussions
- Painting competitions
- Quiz competitions
- Presentations
- Cartoons
- Large demonstrations and others.
7 incinerators and 7 vending machines were installed across four schools which have
student population consisting of adolescent girls. The four schools are:
- St. Joseph School
- Railway Higher Secondary School
- Bengali Higher Secondary School
- T.C. Government Girls Higher Secondary School
A sanitary napkin incinerator is a machine used to dispose used sanitary napkins safely.
Used sanitary napkins are often disposed of in dustbins or open surfaces or in drains which
often lead to contagious diseases or choked sewer lines. These installed incinerator
machines help in resolving the problem of disposal. Incinerators are especially useful in
school environments as there are usually a large number of pads used in a day and hence
disposal becomes a problem.
The sanitary napkin vending machine is a small machine which can be wall mounted in
public washrooms which provide ease of accessibility and better availability of pads for those
in need.
Photo 1: Incinerator
Photo 2: Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine
60,000 Sanitary Napkins were distributed to the schools These can be distributed manually
or can be filled in the vending machines for the students can use it. The napkins were
purchased keeping in mind the size dimensions of the vending machines for ease of
dispensing.
3000 hygiene kits were distributed to the students in the schools. The total student
population of 2,861 has received kits. The 139 additional kits were ordered keeping in mind
future requirements of the schools with regards to sanitation.
Additionally, 3000 Dettol Soaps were also distributed (separate from Hygiene Kits) to all
students to emphasize the need and importance of hand-wash and equip the students with
the necessary tool for the same.
Students of Khanamukh Lower Primary School receiving their kits on the 27th Aug 2019
Construction of 5 new sanitation units across five schools in Guwahati, Assam for
boys and girls.
Repaired/renovated 4 existing structures across four schools (all except those at St.
Joseph School)
5 changing rooms have been constructed inside the newly constructed units in all five
schools.
3000 hygiene kits distributed to students across all five schools.
Installation of 7 incinerators and 7 Sanitary Pad vending machines done for 4 schools
(All except Khanamukh Lower Primary School as it is a lower primary school)
60,000 sanitary napkins distributed to four schools which can be either distributed
manually or can be used to re-load the sanitary napkin vending machine as well
ensuring continued usage for a period of 6 months.
The SMC and the school management have been entrusted with the responsibility of the
maintenance and upkeep of the sanitation units (both new and repaired), incinerators,
vending machines, hoardings and all other collaterals.
BCC activities are aimed at bringing about a sustained change in sanitation practices and
hygiene behaviors. The provision of fully functioning and working sanitation units
compounded by the BCC activities addressed both the infrastructure and the mindset behind
using it.
The teachers and the staff of the schools were oriented on the design and structure of the
school sanitation units that were constructed in their school to ensure future maintenance
and up-keep. After the handing over of the toilets, the school management takes the
responsibility of maintaining the school sanitation units for not just their present students but
also students who will be enrolling in the future.
Actual
Sr. Balance
Details Budget (Rs.) Expenditure
No. (Rs.)
(Rs.)
A Construction and related Costs
Need Assessment / Baseline Survey / Technical
1 150000 150000 0
Survey and Orientation of school authorities
Cost for construction of School Sanitation
2 3477500 2341620 1135880
Infrastructure
Unit cost for repairs of existing School Sanitation
3 800000 1350891 -550891
Infrastructure
4 Incinerators 280000 271671 8329
5 Ground Breaking / Handing Over Ceremony 125000 93980 31020
Behaviour Change Communication-Development
& Procurement of Training material - IEC Material
6 676720 466628 210092
and awareness sessions through painting, quiz
&and elocution competitions
Supply of Sanitary Napkins for 6 months in 4
7 542520 303699 238821
schools (Lump sum)
Hygiene Kits for the students (Tooth brush, Tooth
8 Paste, nail cutter, comb, hand wash, soap. Hand 307600 584828 -277228
sanitizer, hand towel)
Project Field related costs (Monitoring &
Evaluation site visits, Documentation, Reporting,
9 1082000 1082000 0
Evaluation, Personnel Costs, Communications
cost, Technical Consultancy fees)
Sub-Total A 7441340 6645317 796023
B Admin & Overheads Expenses 520894 520894 0
Contingency @5% of the construction and
C 213875 213875
repairs cost
Total Project Cost (A+B+C) 8176109 7166211.00 1009898