The 8th WASH in Schools International Learning Exchange (WinS ILE) was successfully held virtually on 16, 17 and 18 November 2021 through the collaboration of UNICEF, WaterAid and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Regional Fit for School Programme.

The WinS ILE is an annual event that convenes governments and stakeholders from across South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific to strengthen commitment to ensuring that all schools have safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services, towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education) and 6 (water, sanitation and hygiene).

This year’s ILE focused on the theme, “The role of WASH in support reopening of schools”, where WASH, education and health specialists shared existing good practices, information and materials available to support countries in the improvement of their WASH in Schools services, and discussed how schools can be reopened and operated safely now and in the future.

The event had delegates from 22 countries from the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia and gathered 500 registered participants via the Hubilo platform and more on YouTube livestream.

On Day 1, the countries shared updates and learning through videos on WASH in Schools progress from across Asia-Pacific followed by moderated discussion and Q&A. There were technical sessions on different tracks (1: WinS and safe school reopening; 2: Monitoring and data management; 3: Menstrual health and hygiene) on Day 2 and 3 as well. Lounge sessions were offered during breaks for networking opportunities and for exchange with other attendees.

You can watch the welcome remarks and keynote presentation on WASH in Schools- supporting safe school reopening HERE. Interested to learn 1) What proportion of schools had basic WASH before COVID-19 and 2) How can data be better used to improve pandemic preparedness and timely decision making? Watch the presentation on The state of WASH in Schools.

Congratulations and see you again next year!