14-18 November 2016, Jakarta, Indonesia – The Ministry of Education and Culture (MOEC) in Indonesia hosted the 5th WASH in Schools International Learning Exchange (WinS ILE). With an aim to strengthen awareness and commitment on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS), the international learning exchange is an annual event held previously in the Philippines (2012), India (2013), Lao PDR (2014) and Sri Lanka (2015). This year’s ILE was attended by 160 participants from 16 countries with representatives from the education, health, local government sectors and other relevant stakeholders in WASH in Schools.
Highlights of the event included opening remarks from the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Gunilla Olsson, Counsellor on Development Cooperation from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Deniz Sertcan, and Director General of Basic and Secondary Education Hamid Muhammad. The learning exchange also provided a conducive platform for countries to share updates on WASH in Schools through short video clips, and opportunities to interact with global experts on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and their monitoring, Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), group handwashing and sustainable financing. The participants also had a chance to see and learn from actual implementation in the City of Bandung. Country consultations and planning enabled participants to determine progress and action points. The event was closed with a celebration of the World Toilet Day and with messages from representatives of the Indonesian MOEC, UNICEF and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
An outcome document for the event has been prepared in order to share important observations, learning, and recommentations as a result of the WinS ILE. Some of the significant discussions held, amongst others: Integrating the SDGs on WinS into national targets, and monitoring frameworks; the importance of O&M in the provision of WASH service; the role of MHM in transforming gender roles and improving education outcomes for girls; the formation of handwashing habits through a combined effort of increased knowledge, skills, regular practice and provision of enabling environment; ensuring sustainable financing for WinS. A copy of the outcome document may be downloaded from this link:
http://www.fitforschool.international/wp-content/ezdocs/ILE_2016_Outcome_Document_Final.pdf
The 5th WASH in Schools International Learning Exchange has been co-organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, UNICEF Indonesia and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Highlights of the event may be viewed from this youtube link:
