Hygiene and sanitation management in public primary schools: the case of Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam,Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam

A 1991 review of 144 studies linking sanitation and water supply with health, states that the role of water quality in diarrhoea control is less important than that of sanitation and hygiene. In Tanzania, a SWASH mapping carried out in 16 districts (2,697 primary schools) shows that the provision of WASH is lamentable. The study assessed hygiene and sanitation management in 9 primary schools in Ilala municipality. The study methodology involved key informant interviews with 9 heads of schools and 3 school inspectors, questionnaires with 278 pupils, observations, and documents review. The study shows that 67% of the schools did not carry solid waste when required and 22% were practicing improper solid waste disposal. Also 56% of the schools’ latrines were cleaned by pupils while 44% by hired cleaners. Only 29.8% pupils insisted to transfer their experience to other pupils. In addition, 61% and 71.6% pupils wash hands after latrines and before meals respectively. The Heads of Schools noted plays the role to ensure quality delivery of education and WASH at school level. Inadequate financing in O&M poses a threat to its sustainability as in water (14%), toilets (44%) and solid waste management (11%), primary schools get support from Municipal Council. This led to great burden to school committee. National education and health relevant policies do not give priority to sanitation in particular as the main goals are for environmental and universal access to clean and safe water respectively. The researcher recommends that government should be solely responsible in SWASH by provision of adequate capitation grants in time, establishment of relevant national policy and ensuring that right to sanitation is considered in the development of a new constitution.