The Journey from a Neglected Non-Grant institution to a Model Hub of Education

Established in the year 1991, the R.N Girls’ High School in Nuagaon of Champajhar Gram Panchayat in the Thakurmunda Block of Mayurbhanj District, runs with private funds from generous individuals, contributions from teachers, and the stipends of children. Good results, pleasant student-teacher equations, emphasis on Moral Education and Discipline, attracted more children to the school increasing the present strength of girls to 139. In spite of a good school rapport, the non-grant institution lacked in terms of adequate infrastructure, sanitary facilities, health education and drinking-water facilities.

To address the issues and to promote Water, Sanitation and Hygiene practices, CYSD-Plan intervened to promote hygiene facilities through hygiene education and infrastructure support in school in collaboration with Plan India and Aus Aid. Student Health Club and Village Water Sanitation Committee at the grassroots were formed for changing WASH behavior of children in School as well as in Community. School WASH Committee was formed and oriented to initiate leadership and accountability, supervisory monitoring of Sanitary Block Construction taking responsible for future sustainability.  Awareness programs and puppet shows were performed in school. IEC interventions for the students and school (WASH calendar, Leaf let, poster, Flex) on school WASH were carried out along with Competition on school WASH. Capacity building programme on WASH were conducted facilitating Inter-School exposure of students to model schools. As a result, the pro-active Students’ Health Club members practiced and promoted WASH behavior among children in schools, supervising personal hygiene of all children, involving them in the school cleaning activities. They have been playing the peer role in promoting best practices in school environment. Participation of the School WASH Committee in addressing related issues, involvement of teachers in promoting a better environment, and the coordinating efforts of Mrs. Pramila Sahoo, Head Mistress, R.N Girls’ High School, has today made it a model school for replication elsewhere.