Children
have the right to sanitation, and to health. This right needs to be fulfilled
in schools, where children spend much of their day. To improve the
effectiveness of hygiene, behavior change programs should be implemented
through a child-friendly initiative that ensures healthy habits. These habits
should be practiced and integrated into daily school routines to stress the
importance of proper sanitation to health. Group activities drive this incremental
approach, beginning with daily, supervised group hand-washing sessions. The
promotion of good hygiene behavior at school can initiate behavior changes that
last a lifetime.
Last
February 2019, the group proposed the construction of a school lavatory in
Venus Elementary School among the members of Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
A month after, it was also proposed before the barangay council. Among the
parties mentioned, it was agreed that the barangay council will provide for the
construction materials, and the PTA will subsidize 50% of the labor fee, while
the other 50% will be the team’s contribution Engr. Jainal, DPWH ARMM, drafted
the Program of Works. Groundbreaking of the school lavatory dated last March
18, 2019. It is the group’s desire that through this structure, handwashing
will be inculcated in the children’s behavior as a means to improve health.
