WASH in Schools in ten provinces of Afghanistan:

Role: Evaluation

Budget: 5,814,382.42 AFN

Duration: 15th Sept,2016 10th Jan,2017

Funder: UNICEF, Afghanistan

WASH in Schools was funded by UNICEF. It was carried out in eight provinces in five zones.

The purpose of this independent evaluation was to evaluate the implementation of the two key components of the WinS program

  1. The hardware component: quality of construction, design appropriateness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the WASH facilities at schools, etc.
  2. The software component: By asking question such as the following:
    1. To what extent have the objectives of the software components been achieved?
    2. To what extent have targeted teachers and students improved hygienic behaviour, aided by the availability of WASH facilities on the school premises?
  3. The relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the WinS programme

The main objectives of this evaluation were to analyze and evaluate:

  1. The implementation modality of the WinS programme 
  2. The appropriateness of the facilities constructed 
  3.  The achievements, strengths and weaknesses of the programme 

Specific objectives of the evaluation were to:

  1. Review (1) the types and frequency of hygiene behavioural change interventions for teachers and students and (2) their general level of knowledge about hygiene and health 
  2.  Evaluate (2) the use, cleanliness and suitability of WASH facilities in schools by different groups of students and teachers (girls and boys, teachers, people with disabilities); and (2) their level of satisfaction 
  3. Assess the hardware implementation modality, including but not limited to the quality and appropriateness of designs used for WinS infrastructure 
  4. Appraise the day-to-day management, functionality and maintenance of WinS facilities

The Evaluation used a mixed methods approach, collecting both qualitative and quantitative information. The study focused on safe access to WASH facilities by school children including girls, boys, children with disability, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities and boreholes for water supply.