After a successful research and development phase from 2011 to 2015, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in partnership with SEAMEO INNOTECH, for a second phase to support Ministries of Education in selected Asian countries to sustainably scale-up Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools (WinS). The second phase of the program ran from December 2015 until November 2018.

Based on the Three Star Approach on WASH in Schools, a joint framework developed by UNICEF and GIZ, the Fit for School program adapts a stepwise approach to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in schools with a focus on behavior change through daily implementation of hygiene activities.

Under the first program phase, partners from Cambodia, Indonesia and Lao PDR learned and gained experiences from implementing the Fit for School program in their own contexts. Simple improvements were made in the school environment, through the support of parents, school and the broader community, with the construction of group handwashing facilities. Operation and maintenance of WASH facilities and the cleaning of school grounds also contribute to creating a conducive learning environment for students. Training materials and implementing guidelines were also developed, particularly for the the school level. The Philippines served as the model country where the Fit for School approach was developed as the Essential Health Care Program of the Department of Education.

The second program phase emphasized supporting government partners to scale-up WinS. Monitoring and evaluation takes an important role in such a process. Subnational structures were also strengthened and supported allowing them to manage the program at scale. In addition, strengthening the linkages with other development partners working on WASH were also harnessed to better support a national WinS scale-up.

The four partner countries under the regional program adapted the Three Star Approach in their respective contexts. This framework served to guide national policies, help clarify national standards and define benchmarks to encourage schools to improve hygiene and sanitation step by step.

For further information, please visit www.fitforschool.international