Vibhavari’s Comprehensive School WASH Interventions
Building Hygienic and Child-Friendly Schools
Promoting Hygiene and Sanitation Program in Schools
Vibhavari has been working in collaboration with Unicef, UN-Habitat and ITC on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) initiatives, with a special focus on school sanitation. The program emphasizes behavioral change and the construction, operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities in government schools located in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh. The organization has achieved remarkable success in promoting toilet usage, hand washing practices and in establishing a community-based mechanism for the effective operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities in schools.
Promoting Hygiene and Sanitation in Schools
Jeevan Shiksha Se Jeevan Raksha, Guna supported by Unicef, FY 2007-11
An innovative WASH model named Jagmag Sena was developed. Jagmag Sena is a group of volunteer students who took it upon themselves to conduct WASH-related activities in their respective schools. This initiative later led to the formation of Child Cabinets in schools.
Vibhavari documented this initiative under the JSJR project (Jeevan Shiksha Se Jeevan Raksha) and also produced a film titled “Aur Dhulne Lage Haath” based on the project. The JSJR program was implemented by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, a registered organization under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, with support from UNICEF, the project sponsor.
As part of this program, UNICEF entrusted Vibhavari, Dewas with the responsibility of process documentation. Additionally, under this campaign, Vibhavari provided technical support to the Madhya Pradesh Bharat Scouts and Guides, benefiting 30 units in Guna district through skill development activities.
Swachch Raho Mast Raho (SRMR) Dewas district, FY. 2007-2008
To promote sanitation and hygiene practices among the younger generation, Vibhavari conducted a program in 12 villages of Kannod block in Dewas district. As part of the initiative, the Vibhavari team trained teachers and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members on the concept of School Sanitation and Hygiene Education (SSHE). Educational activities, supported by Pappu Ka Pitara, were organized in schools to educate children on SSHE practices.
The program led to teachers integrating SSHE activities into their daily routines, while students adopted improved hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, nail trimming and bathing. Increased use of school toilets contributed to open defecation-free campuses, and midday meals were prepared more hygienically, promoting better health and safety.
Swachch Raho Mast Raho (SRMR) Guna, FY 2009-10 Suppored by Unicef
In the year 2009-2010 Vibhavari, the implementing partner had initiated hygiene education programme in 25 schools of Guna District. n addition, the NGO partner along with Jagmag Sena promotes Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities in 25 primary schools and 25 Anganwadi centres, which were close to the targeted middle schools. Since children of other villages also attended these middle schools, hygiene messages were being spread in another 15 villages through them.
Approximately 3,100 students across 25 schools were made aware of hygiene practices, especially hand washing with soap after defecation and before midday meals. Soap availability was ensured by PTAs or SHGs involved in meal preparation, who also adopted hygienic practices themselves. De-worming tablets were distributed to 3,000 children, resulting in weight gain of 3–4 kg in over 800 children. Jagmag Sena led plantation drives in 18 schools to promote grey water reuse. Community involvement from the start helped build local capacity for the operation and maintenance of school WASH facilities, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Special achievements
Jagmag Utsava
According to the concept of SRMR the students who gave best performance during school level cultural program were selected to perform at District Level Program. For this they were given special classes to learn certain performances. The aim of organizing such program was to convey the message of sanitation to the students of other schools too, and to create understanding towards meaning & importance of sanitation. Another aim of the program was to gain recognition on district level
Jagmag Sena
On the basis of the SRMR Project, the Jagmag Sena was formed in SRMR schools to promote SSHE (School Sanitation & Hygiene Education). The Sena instills good habits of cleanliness and hygiene among students while also monitoring personal hygiene and maintaining overall school sanitation. By engaging students directly, the initiative not only creates awareness but also nurtures a sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring hygiene and sanitation become an integral part of their daily routine.
Jagmag News letter
Jagmag News letter was published for giving a platform to voice of children to know their views on child rights and WASH issues. This has provided a forum to children where they can share their experiences and new ideas on WASH and this sharing is intended to provide learning to sanitation planners and workers. About 15 editions of Jagmag have been prepared by students in middle schools of Guna and Dewas districts and published with the support of UNICEF.
Human Value Based Water Sanitation & Hygiene Education at Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur & Gwalior supported by UN HABITAT,FY 2010-12
The HVWSHE programme is supported by UN-HABITAT and the Department of School Education, Madhya Pradesh, has been entrusted with its in four cities of the state. The program aimed to promote Hygiene, Value-based Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Education (HVWSHE) through play-based learning and teacher capacity building, using communication tools and classroom demonstrations to reach the wider community. Implementation involved planning workshops, coordination with the District Education Officer, and development of resource materials such as activity kits and manuals on hygiene topics. Senior teachers received orientation and teaching aids to integrate HVWSHE into the school curriculum. Classroom activities were conducted using innovative methods to instill hygiene values in students and encourage long-term behavioral change within schools and communities.
Institutionalization hand washing with soap in schools at Guna supported by UNICEF, FY 2013-14
During this period, Vibhavari developed systems and mechanisms to mainstream hand washing practices across these schools. The initiative also focused on improving WASH facilities, and enhancing the capacities of School Management Committees (SMCs), teachers and Child Cabinets to monitor and sustain WASH practices within schools. The program was carried out in 26 primary schools and 24 upper primary schools, totaling 50 government schools in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
Creating WASH Leaders and Developing Knowledge Products (CWL-DKP) supported by ITC MSK, FY. 2015-2020
Vibhavari has conducted WASH programs in 52 districts of Sehore, M.P. It is a holistic approach program, which includes structural work like construction of toilet facilities, hand wash units, water supply provision, boundary walls, solar pumps, RWH and informative activities like training and capacity building of stakeholders including teachers, SMC members, MDM workers and members of child cabinet.
In the year 2017-18, 17 out of 23 WASH projects in schools of Sehore, M.P., had received Green School Award by Government of India in Sehore district. As extended achievements for Vibhavari’s WASH team, 2 schools got state-level Special Clean School Award and 3 schools received district-level rewards. Two schools, Government Middle School, Dudalai, and Government Middle School, Amajhir, were nominated for national- level honors.
Achieving sustainable and equitable access of WASH, Guna and Shivpuri supported by UNICEF, FY 2019-20
VIBHAVARI has been implementing school level WASH programme in 2526 schools (Guna-1041 Shivpuri-1485) of Guna and Shivpuri districts. Vibhavari, under the WASH in Schools initiative, trained 462 district-level education officials and 1,722 teachers (mainly headmasters) in Guna and Shivpuri on SBSV and WASH practices. 2,358 SMC/PRI members were oriented through block-level review meetings. Key campaigns like Global Hand washing Day and World Toilet Day were celebrated. 2,358 schools with active child cabinets institutionalized daily hand washing with soap before midday meals. 2,045 schools previously rated 1 or 2 stars under the 2017–18 SVP WASH benchmarking, achieved 3-star and above ratings. Additionally, 5 schools were developed into WASH model schools, showcasing innovative practices like HWWS stations, running water, and O&M systems, all documented for replication.
Students have adopted the regular practice of hand washing with soap before the midday meal, reinforcing personal hygiene habits. There has also been a significant shift from open defecation to the consistent use of school toilets, with proper usage of separate facilities for boys and girls. In addition, teachers and Child Cabinets play an active role in maintaining cleanliness and promoting a hygienic environment within the school.
Technical supports to develop WASH in school benchmarking system in collaboration with BEPC
A regional workshop on the state-specific benchmarking system for WASH in schools was organized in Bihar (covering Gopalganj, Purnia, Banka, and Patna) from 5th to 9th July, where 230 participants, including CRCs, BRCs, AEs, JEs, DPOs, DEOs, HMs, and teachers from 21 districts, were trained. Additionally, a state-level workshop was held in Patna with participation from around 80 DPOs and AEs representing all 38 districts of Bihar. A field trial of the benchmarking system was conducted in 30 schools across Sheikhpura, Gaya, and Patna districts. Vibhavari provided technical support for the development and finalization of the benchmarking system in collaboration with BEPC and UNICEF, including content development, guideline preparation and designing of WASH in Schools Benchmarking System. Furthermore, a technical manual for WASH in Schools was developed, which included designs, drawings and cost estimates for school toilets, Anganwadis, hand washing units, rainwater harvesting systems and soak pits.
