National Schools Hygiene Programme Prepared By: Ponds Sihlobo 012 357 4217/ 072 1866 592 Sihlobo.n@dbe.gov.za

Why partner with Unilever Unilever is one of the largest companies, over 100 years old & with over 400 brands. Unilever SA through its Unilever Sustainable Living Plan works through brands to address health and hygiene solutions to millions of people. Unilever approached the Department to support national efforts for the improvement of the health and well-being of South Africans. Since then, the DBE has been working with Unilever and key partners to conceptualize and plan a comprehensive integrated school hygiene programme. The DBE and Unilever agreed on a 5-year partnership to implement the National Schools Hygiene Programme, which involves a 21-day in-class behaviour change campaign and provision of soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes on all school days for all Grade 1 learners in South Africa.

Impact on hygiene and sanitation Evidence from East Asia through the Fit for Health Programme suggests that combining deworming and hand-washing with soap, tooth-brushing and good sanitation practices in the Foundation Phase (Grade R-3) can significantly reduce risk for diarrhea and respiratory infection, thereby promoting school participation and learning. Improved sanitation and hygiene in schools at a global level has been linked to improvements in children’s educational performance, reduction in absenteeism and improved retention rates (UNICEF, 2009). Globally, every 2 minutes one child dies due to diarrheal disease. The DBE strives to provide an enabling environment which also promotes foundation for scaling-up impact on improved hygiene.

Why is the DBE involved Goal 25: use schools as vehicles for promoting access to a range of public service amongst learners such as health, poverty reduction strategies, psychosocial support etc. Adding components of handwashing with soap, oral hygiene and good sanitation practices at an early age will add foundational life skills and ultimately strengthen the impact on both health and education outcomes. Goal is to ensure that the practice of hand washing with soap, tooth brushing and good sanitation practices are entrenched, and to increase the likelihood of behaviour change. The children in turn are able to share these habits with their families, thereby creating a continuous chain of healthy hygiene habits.

What do we aim to achieve? To jointly deliver an integrated hygiene and sanitation behaviour change programme that will improve the lives of all Gr1 learners in SA The programme will reach all grade 1 leaners in all quintile 1 to 5 schools in SA and will be implemented within the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning Framework and integrated into the Curriculum, ISHP and NSNP. Total roll-out in 2018 to all schools. The programme is based on proven models of behaviour change. To strengthen impact health and education outcomes.

What do we aim to achieve? The following will be taught: Healthy handwashing habits - sponsored by the Lifebuoy brand Good oral care habits – sponsored by the Mentadent brand Good sanitation habits – sponsored by the Domestos brand Products will be donated by Unilever to grade 1 learners for them to practice the behaviors in schools and at home. Versioning of the material is underway to accommodate all 11 official languages.

How will the programme be implemented? The behavior change programme will be linked to Life Orientation Subject Area which needs the support of teachers The following will be provided to the teachers and the schools to facilitate this process : Behaviour change learning material covering the following topics Handwashing Oral Care Sanitation The following products to be delivered and used at the schools by the learners and administered by the teachers Lifebuoy soap bars Mentadent toothbrushes (each learner will receive a toothbrush but will share soap and toothpaste) Mentadent toothpaste

Behaviour change programme Made up of Teachers Guide, Children’s Activity Books, Diaries and Posters HANDS TOILET MOUTH

How will the programme be implemented? Tracking diaries for all the learners throughout the programme to monitor practice and behaviour change; Branded posters in the classrooms to be used as a reminder of the key hygiene habits; Identifying officials in the districts as master trainers (ISHP, NSNP & Curriculum); Training of provincial master trainers to cascade the training to educators prior to programme kick off; Parent letters informing parents of programme, what the learners will be doing and how they need to be involved; and Distribution points for material need to be identified. Measurement and evaluation of the programme will be done via a mobile or desktop computer application

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