Schools

JMP monitoring focuses on tracking ‘basic’ drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools. Definitions of ‘basic’ services have been developed by a global task team convened by the JMP and incorporated into new JMP service ‘ladders’ for WASH in schools. JMP estimates for WASH in schools are based on the harmonized core indicators and the 2018 report presented the first national, regional and global estimates for the new SDG indicators.

The JMP ladder for drinking water in schools

Schools with an improved drinking water source with water available at the time of the questionnaire or survey are classified as having a ‘basic’ service. Schools without water available, but with an improved source are classified as having a ‘limited’ service, and those with unimproved or no water source are classified as having ‘no service’. In countries where ‘basic’ service is already the norm, a country-defined ‘advanced’ service level may be appropriate based on the national context, priorities and resources. Criteria for an advanced level might include normative elements such as water quality, water quantity, and water point accessibility for all users.   

• Advanced

  To be defined at national level

• Basic

  Drinking water from an improved source is available at the school

• Limited

  There is an improved source (piped, protected well/spring, rainwater, packaged/delivered water), but water not available at time of survey

• No services

  No water source or unimproved source (unprotected well/spring, surface water)

Note: Improved drinking water sources are those that have the potential to deliver safe water by nature of their design and construction, and include: piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, rainwater, and packaged or delivered water.

The JMP ladder for sanitation in schools

Schools with improved sanitation facilities which are single-sex and usable at the time of the survey or questionnaire are classified as having ‘basic’ service. The term ‘usable’ here refers to toilets or latrines that are accessible to students (doors are unlocked or a key is available at all times), functional (the toilet is not broken, the toilet hole is not blocked, and water is available for flush/pour-flush toilets), and private (there are closable doors that lock from the inside and no large gaps in the structure).

Those using improved sanitation facilities which are either not single-sex or not usable are classified as having ‘limited’ service. However, pre-primary schools without single-sex toilets may still be considered to have ‘basic’ sanitation service if the toilets are usable. Schools with unimproved or no toilets are classified as having ‘no service’. In countries where an ‘advanced’ service level is appropriate, elements might include students per toilet ratios, appropriate facilities for menstrual hygiene management, or toilet accessibility for all users.

• Advanced

  To be defined at national level

• Basic

  Improved facilities, which are single-sex and usable at the school

• Limited

  There are improved facilities (flush/pour-flush toilets, pit latrine with slab, composting toilet), but not single-sex or not usable at time of survey

• No service

  No toilets or latrines, or unimproved facilities (pit latrines without a slab or platform, hanging latrines, bucket latrines)

Note: Improved sanitation facilities are those designed to hygienically separate excreta from human contact, and include: flush/pour flush to piped sewer system, septic tanks or pit latrines; ventilated improved pit latrines, composting toilets or pit latrines with slabs.

The JMP ladder for hygiene in schools

Schools with handwashing facilities with water and soap available at the time of the questionnaire or survey are considered to have ‘basic’ service. Those with handwashing facilities that have water available at the time of the questionnaire or survey, but no soap, are considered to have ‘limited’ service, while schools with no facilities or no water available for handwashing are classified as having ‘no service’. An ‘advanced’ level for hygiene might include tracking if handwashing facilities are available at critical times (before eating and after using the toilet), if they are accessible to all users, and if menstrual hygiene education and products are provided.

• Advanced

  To be defined at national level

• Basic

  Handwashing facilities, which have water and soap available

• Limited

  Handwashing facilities with water, but no soap

• No service

  No handwashing facilities at the school or handwashing facilities with no water

Note: Handwashing facilities may be fixed or mobile and include a sink with tap water, buckets with taps, tippy-taps, and jugs or basins designated for handwashing. Soap includes bar soap, liquid soap, powder detergent, and soapy water but does not include ash, soil, sand or other handwashing agents.