Evaluation of the Implementation of the School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SWASH) Programme in Tanzanian Public Schools

Improving water, sanitation and hygiene services in schools can have a positive impact on attendance, disease reduction, and cognitive development. However, achieving sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in schools, especially in low-income countries like Tanzania, is challenging. To accelerate access, effective strategies, cooperation from WASH actors, funding, and engagement with communities and partners, the government has initiated a specific programme for schools termed School Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SWASH). This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of SWASH programme in Tanzanian public schools. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the status of SWASH facilities in public schools, analyze the interventions and construction methods used, examine the perceptions of teachers and the community, identify challenges and opportunities for SWASH programme, and evaluate stakeholder adherence to government SWASH policies. Data collection and processing aimed to eliminate systematic errors, and questionnaires were designed to align with research questions. Informed consent was obtained to ensure participants’ voluntary participation and provide reliable evidence for the research questions and responses. Around 68% of teachers believe that limited SWASH services affect school performance for both girls and boys, with 75% reporting that limited latrine facilities impact adolescent girls. Key informants reported water shortages at 74%. Challenges hindering implementation included poor planning for maintenance (93%), poor governance (88%), and low capacity of the school committee (83%). Other challenges included a high increase in student enrollment (75%), low involvement of school committees (67%), climate change impact (58%), lack of budget for SWASH (55%), and other unforeseen calamities (42%). While the school community views the SWASH programme as a solution to current challenges, schools lack a dedicated SWASH budget, limiting programme sustainability. It is recommended to propose simple and scalable methods for implementing SWASH programme to address priority areas and expedite access to SWASH services.