Bauchi SUBEB, UNICEF Launch 5-Star WASH Initiative to Improve Hygiene in Schools
By, Uzairu Dauda Bunga
The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB, in collaboration with UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, has organized an inception meeting on the implementation of the 5-Star Approach aimed at improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WASH facilities in schools across the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Alhaji Isa Baba, said good hygiene and sanitation are essential for creating a conducive learning environment and ensuring that pupils acquire quality education.
He explained that the 5-Star Approach, initiated by UNICEF, is designed to address some of the major challenges affecting the education sector, particularly inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, environmental cleanliness and insufficient infrastructure in basic schools.
Alhaji Isa Baba, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Alhaji Abubakar Mansur Abdu, commended UNICEF for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would help Bauchi State address challenges relating to water supply, sanitation, hygiene, tree planting and environmental sustainability in basic schools.
He added that effective implementation of the initiative would also contribute to addressing the problem of out-of-school children by creating a healthier and more conducive learning environment.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency RUWASSA, Bauchi State, Alhaji Samaila Jibrin El-Pateh, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing adequate potable water to 75 per cent of Bauchi State’s population.
He disclosed that the agency had identified gaps in water supply to schools and pledged its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to address water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in basic schools across the state.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, represented by the WASH Specialist, Mrs Stella Okafor, described access to functional WASH facilities in schools as a fundamental right of every child.
She explained that the inception meeting was organised to identify existing gaps in school WASH services and develop strategies for improving children’s health, hygiene and overall learning environment in Bauchi State.
Dr Rafique said statistics indicated that about 60 per cent of schools lack functional WASH facilities, stressing the need for urgent interventions to ensure that every child enjoys the right to safe water, sanitation and proper hygiene.
She called on all stakeholders involved in the 5-Star Approach initiative to demonstrate commitment and work collectively towards addressing WASH challenges in schools, making Bauchi State a model for improved school sanitation and hygiene.
