GUIDELINES FOR HYGIENE PROMOTION IN AND THROUGH SCHOOLS
Guideline · Education
Guidelines integrate hygiene promotion, such as handwashing and sanitation, into school programs and community outreach. They target school coordinators, teachers, students, and state education ministries. The goal is to improve hygiene practices among children and families.
GUIDELINES FOR HYGIENE PROMOTION IN AND THROUGH SCHOOLS
What Is This Policy?
Practical guidelines for integrating hygiene promotion (handwashing, sanitation, menstrual hygiene) into school programmes and using schools as platforms for community-wide hygiene behaviour change.
Who Does It Target?
School health coordinators and teachers State Ministries of Education WASH programme implementers in schools Students and their families
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Improve hygiene practices among Nigerian school children and communities by integrating hygiene education into the school curriculum and environment.
Key Features
WASH in Schools: Prescribes minimum WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) infrastructure for schools. Hygiene Curriculum: Integrates hygiene education into the school curriculum at all levels. Behaviour Change: Uses student peer education to spread hygiene practices to households. Menstrual Hygiene: Addresses menstrual hygiene management as a component of school WASH.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: Primary and secondary schools nationwide Beneficiaries: School children; community hygiene improvement Funding: Federal Government; UNICEF; World Bank WASH programmes
How to Access
School heads: implement WASH minimum standards Teachers: access training on hygiene promotion methodology Parents: support school WASH committees Application method: Engage Federal Ministry of Education or state health/education offices.
Important Terms
Schools without functional toilets and handwashing facilities violate WASH minimum standards Menstrual hygiene management materials are essential for girl students to stay in school School WASH committees should involve students as active participants
Official Resources
Website: https://www.education.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Education / Federal Ministry of Water Resources
Legal Framework
Issued under the authority of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources pursuant to the National Health Act 2014, the Child Rights Act 2003, and the National Water Policy. Aligns with the UNICEF and WHO Joint Monitoring Programme for WASH in Schools, the Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 on sanitation and hygiene, and the Child-Friendly Schools framework.