Managing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) Facilities in Basic Schools Within the Mfantseman Municipality, Ghana

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.