Pragati – Infrastructural development of child-friendly schools to promote WASH (Water and Sanitation Hygiene) and quality education

Overview

The Hindi word “Pragati” means “progress” or “development.”
While education holds the utmost significance in India’s inclusive development agenda, the sector grapples with significant shortcomings in terms of children’s learning and educational achievements. A notable issue is the inadequate state of infrastructure, particularly in government and semi-government schools, where many buildings are aged and deteriorating. These schools receive minimal funding for maintenance, leading to substandard infrastructure conditions. The deteriorated infrastructure poses safety risks for both students and school staff. Additionally, the lacklustre atmosphere and ambiance in such schools contribute to low motivation levels among students and teachers alike.

The Need

The condition of infrastructure and the availability of facilities in government schools is particularly concerning. Many individuals from disadvantaged and marginalized communities, who aspire to provide their children with quality education, are compelled to enroll them in either government-aided or private schools. This often leads to increased financial burden on these families, despite education being a fundamental right for every citizen in the country. In both rural and urban areas, numerous government and aided schools are deficient in even the most essential facilities, which significantly hampers the overall academic performance of students.

The Benefits

Access to secure and hygienic educational environments such as well-maintained class rooms, gender- specific bathrooms, hand wash stations, safe drinking water, play areas, for the holistic development of students.
Learning spaces that are age-appropriate and flexible, providing children with educational wall murals and visual aids that stimulate learning through colour and visual complexity.
Schools are designed in a manner that prioritize the needs of both students and teachers, ensuring that each space is optimized for effective teaching and learning.
Improvement in attendance rates and enhanced academic performance due to more involvement of students, teachers and school committees fostering a more conducive learning environment overall.

Our Intervention

United Way India is dedicated to its mission of creating child-friendly schools by constructing inspiring classrooms on campuses. Our goal is to enhance the overall quality of education for students, with a particular focus on reinforcing hygiene and healthy practices. We prioritize the improvement of sanitation facilities for school-going children within the school premises. This comprehensive approach includes the design and construction of modern toilets, the provision of maintenance and cleaning services, and the education of students and staff on proper sanitation practices.