Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Inadequate Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools has
serious health implications on children, especially girls and students living
with disabilities (UNICEF & WHO, 2020), which may contribute to unequal
learning opportunities (Adams et al., 2009). Hence, it is important to ensure
effective school hygiene interventions and strategies to protect the lives of
these children. This study seeks to examine the management of WASH
facilities in basic schools within the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana which
is ranked among the least in terms of access to WASH facilities and academic
performance (UNICEF & CDD-Ghana, 2018). The theoretical basis for this
study was the Sanitation Behaviour Change Framework (SaniFOAM).
The pragmatic philosophy, convergent parallel mixed method and descriptive
design were employed. A total of 368 students, with four stakeholder heads
and 16 head teachers (as key informants) were selected for the study. The data
was analyzed with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version
22.0, and supported by manual analysis of the themes from the in-depth
interviews and field observations. The findings revealed that pupils have
satisfactory hygiene behaviour just that the WASH facilities are inadequate.
Also, the findings indicated that Ghana Education Service (G.E.S) provides
the logistics to schools for maintenance and teachers supervise the students to
clean the facilities, based on a duty roster and sometimes as punishment to
offenders. It is recommended that G.E.S, parents, teachers, government, and
all stakeholders should ensure adequate provision of WASH infrastructure and
interventions in schools to promote healthy and satisfactory sanitary practices
of the pupils at all times.
