Project – Evaluating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices in Schools in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are essential components of public health and key determinants of the well-being, growth, and academic success of school-aged children. WASH in schools refers to the availability of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, and the promotion of proper hygiene practices such as regular handwashing with soap. These services are fundamental for creating a safe and healthy learning environment and are critical for preventing communicable diseases among pupils and school personnel.

Globally, inadequate WASH services in schools continue to pose serious health and educational challenges. Millions of children attend schools without access to basic drinking water, functional toilets, or handwashing facilities. The absence of these services increases the risk of water-borne and sanitation-related diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and intestinal worm infections, which negatively affect children’s physical health and cognitive development. Poor WASH conditions in schools have also been linked to increased absenteeism, reduced concentration, and poor academic performance.

In Nigeria, the situation remains a major concern despite national and international efforts to improve WASH services in educational institutions. Many public schools lack reliable water supply, adequate toilets, and basic hygiene infrastructure. Even where facilities exist, they are often poorly maintained, overcrowded, or non-functional. The challenge is more pronounced in rural and semi-urban areas where infrastructure development is limited and funding for school health programmes is inadequate.

Benue State, located in the North-Central region of Nigeria, faces notable WASH challenges in schools, particularly in local government areas such as Gboko. Schools in Gboko Local Government Area operate within communities where access to clean water and sanitation services is inconsistent. Factors such as population growth, limited government funding, poor facility maintenance, and weak hygiene promotion contribute to inadequate WASH conditions in many schools.

In addition to infrastructural challenges, behavioural factors play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of WASH interventions. The presence of water and sanitation facilities alone does not guarantee proper hygiene practices among pupils and teachers. In some schools, handwashing with soap is not routinely practiced due to lack of supplies, insufficient awareness, or weak supervision. Poor hygiene behaviours increase the risk of disease transmission and undermine the potential health benefits of available WASH facilities.

Evaluating WASH practices in schools in Gboko Local Government Area is therefore essential for understanding the current state of water supply, sanitation facilities, and hygiene behaviours. Such evaluation provides evidence needed for planning targeted interventions, improving school health programmes, and supporting policies aimed at enhancing child health and educational outcomes in the area.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite growing recognition of the importance of WASH in schools, many educational institutions in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State continue to operate with inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. Several schools lack access to safe and consistent water supply, while available sanitation facilities are often insufficient, poorly maintained, or not gender-sensitive. These conditions expose pupils and staff to preventable health risks and create an unsafe learning environment.

In many schools, hygiene facilities such as handwashing stations with soap are either unavailable or non-functional. Even where facilities exist, pupils may not consistently practice proper hygiene due to limited awareness, lack of supervision, or absence of hygiene education programmes. This gap between facility availability and actual hygiene practice reduces the effectiveness of WASH interventions and perpetuates the spread of water- and sanitation-related diseases.

Poor WASH conditions have been associated with increased absenteeism among pupils, particularly due to illness. Adolescent girls are especially affected by the lack of private and functional sanitation facilities, which can lead to discomfort, reduced school participation, and in some cases, school dropout. These challenges undermine efforts to improve educational access, equity, and quality in the local government area.

Furthermore, there is limited empirical data on the status of WASH facilities and practices in schools in Gboko LGA. The absence of localized evidence makes it difficult for policymakers, school administrators, and development partners to design and implement effective WASH interventions tailored to the specific needs of schools in the area. Without proper assessment, resources may be poorly allocated and interventions may fail to achieve desired outcomes.

If these challenges persist, schools in Gboko Local Government Area will continue to expose pupils to health risks, hinder academic performance, and compromise the overall goals of school health and child development. This study therefore seeks to evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in schools in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, in order to provide evidence-based recommendations for improvement.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in schools in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. assess the availability and adequacy of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools in Gboko LGA;

2. examine the hygiene practices of pupils and school staff in the area;

3. determine the level of hygiene education and promotion in schools;

4. identify factors influencing WASH practices in schools in Gboko Local Government Area.

1.5 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the status of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools in Gboko LGA?

2. What hygiene practices are commonly observed among pupils and teachers?

3. What hygiene education activities are implemented in schools?

4. What factors influence WASH practices in schools in Gboko Local Government Area?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

The study will be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

H₀: There is no significant relationship between the availability of WASH facilities and hygiene practices among pupils in schools in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State.

1.7 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be useful to education administrators, health authorities, policymakers, and development partners by providing empirical data on WASH practices in schools in Gboko LGA. The study will support the design of effective school-based WASH programmes and promote healthier learning environments. It will also contribute to academic literature and serve as a reference for future research on school health and environmental sanitation.

1.8 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to selected primary and secondary schools in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. It focuses on water supply, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and hygiene education within school premises.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Refers to the provision and practice of safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene within the school environment.

• Water Facilities: Sources of potable water available for drinking, handwashing, and sanitation use in schools.

• Sanitation Facilities: Toilets or latrines that are adequate, functional, clean, and appropriate for school use.

• Hygiene Practices: Behaviours such as handwashing with soap and other personal hygiene actions practiced by pupils and staff.

• Schools: Educational institutions providing primary or secondary education within Gboko Local Government Area.

Project – Evaluating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices in Schools in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State