Increasing access to improved water and sanitation facilities in schools

In Bangladesh, an estimated 85 per cent of primary schools have at least one functioning toilet, 63 per cent have a separate functioning toilet for girls, 79 per cent have access to a potable water source however, only 67 per cent of the water points are reported to be functional. The lack of adequate and sufficient facilities and the poor condition of these, have a detrimental impact upon school enrolment, attendance and participation rates, particularly for girls. Although Bangladesh has made great strides in recent years in terms of increasing the proportion of schools with sanitation facilities, much remains to be done to reduce the number of students per latrine, to ensure running water and soap for handwashing, and to ensure that the latrines are open for student’s use and kept in a clean condition. UNICEF’s WASH in Schools approach is implemented at the national, community and local levels through a range of government and NGO partners, to increase the access to, utilisation of and demand for, improved water and sanitation facilities, and the consistent practice of effective handwashing.