The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern that approximately 60 per cent of schools across Bauchi State do not have functional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. The organisation stressed the importance of immediate action so that every child can enjoy the right to safe water, sanitation, and proper hygiene.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, made the statement during an inception meeting convened to launch a new WASH intervention designed to enhance learning conditions and promote sustainable hygiene practices in basic schools throughout the state. The meeting was organised by the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), with technical assistance from the UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi Field Office (BFO).
Represented by WASH Specialist Mrs. Stella Okafor Terver, Dr. Rafique described access to functional WASH facilities in schools as a fundamental right of every child. She explained that the inception meeting was held to identify existing gaps in school WASH services and to develop strategies for improving children's health, hygiene, and the overall learning environment in Bauchi State.
She appealed to all stakeholders involved in the 5-Star Approach initiative to show commitment and work together toward addressing WASH challenges in schools, making Bauchi State a model for improved school sanitation and hygiene.
The UNICEF Chief also highlighted persistent challenges in sustaining school WASH facilities, weak ownership and accountability, inadequate hygiene practices, and the need for durable, scalable handwashing facilities as key factors driving the intervention.
She said the initiative aims to improve the sustainability of WASH services and promote healthy hygiene behaviours in schools and their surrounding communities.
Its objectives include strengthening hygiene practices, building capacity for the operation and maintenance of facilities, enhancing community ownership, institutionalising WASH governance, promoting inclusion and climate resilience, and ensuring long-term sustainability and scalability.
Dr. Rafique outlined expected outcomes to include achieving one- to five-star certification for participating schools, improved handwashing and sanitation practices, functional WASH facilities, stronger community participation, and increased government ownership of school WASH services.
The intervention, titled Improving WASH in Schools Through the 5-Star Approach, will be implemented in five local government areas — Alkaleri, Bauchi, Toro, Ningi, and Dambam — under a broader initiative to integrate WASH, climate resilience, and menstrual hygiene management in educational institutions.
Speaking at the inception meeting, Abubakar Isa Baba, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, said the initiative was designed to address critical gaps affecting effective service delivery at the basic education level.
Represented by a SUBEB official, Abubakar Mansur Abdu, the Chairman noted that improved access to functional WASH facilities would help create a more conducive learning environment, potentially contribute to reducing the number of out-of-school children, and improve pupils' transition from primary to junior secondary education.
He commended UNICEF and other development partners for their sustained support toward improving the quality and accessibility of basic education in the state, while urging WASH and education officers from the selected local government areas to demonstrate commitment and actively participate in implementing the intervention.