ABSTRACT
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) practices are essential for the healthy growth and development of children as stated in the Rights of the Child convention. WaSH in schools was included in the recently approved 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda under a number of goals. This study was designed to evaluate the level of compliance of Nursery and primary schools to WaSH standards within the southern senatorial district of Edo state. 15 schools each from the 7 local governments comprising of Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Orhiomwon, Ovia South West, Ovia North East and Uhumwonde were visited. A well structured questionnaire adopted from standard questions by UNICEF and WHO was used in the course of this study. Data was analysed using standard method. The result showed that 63.6%, 59.9%, 54.15%, 61.02%, 59.73%, 57.6% and 58.8% of schools visited in Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Orhiomwon, Ovia South West, Ovia North East and Uhunmwonde respectively had access to safe quality drinking water. Also, 100%, 85.7%, 84.2%, 100%, 86.3%, 100% and 86.7% of schools of schools visted at Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Orhiomwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West and Uhunmwonde respectively had improved sanitary facilities. Majority of the schools had hand washing facilities, though a lower proportion had soap and water. Results from this studies shows schools in southern Senatorial district are on the right track regarding WaSH practices. However, efforts should be intensified to ensure availability of WaSH resources in schools with inadequate WaSH practices.
