UNICEF and the Gambian Ministry of Education are currently working together to further improve water, sanitation and hygiene standards in schools across the country. A particular focus is on girls’ menstrual health. The aim is to make schools places where clean water, safe toilets and basic hygiene are a natural part of the learning environment.
On 7 September 2026, UNICEF and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) launched a four-day technical mission in Bakau to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools – known as WASH in Schools or WinS. Alongside government bodies, participants include development organisations, civil society actors, youth groups and academic institutions.
The focus is on implementing the National WASH in Schools Guidelines nationwide. At the same time, existing data and monitoring systems are to be improved and common standards developed for assessing WASH conditions in schools.
Water and toilets are part of a good education
A functioning school needs more than classrooms and teaching materials. Children need access to clean drinking water, handwashing facilities and safe, usable sanitation facilities.
UNICEF points out that, despite progress, significant differences remain between urban and rural schools in Gambia. Providing sanitation facilities that also meet girls’ specific needs remains particularly important.
A lack of water or suitable toilets has an immediate impact on health, dignity and regular school attendance.
Giving greater attention to menstrual health
Menstrual Health and Hygiene is therefore a specific focus of the current initiative.
A two-year national roadmap is to be developed jointly to improve conditions for girls during menstruation. This includes private and hygienic toilets, reliable access to water, and knowledge and practical support in everyday school life.
UNICEF had already noted in June that many girls in Gambia face difficulties accessing affordable hygiene products, suitable separate toilets and reliable information on menstrual health.
This is not just about hygiene. When girls miss lessons during their periods because conditions are inadequate, a WASH problem immediately becomes an education problem too.
Sustainable solutions need more than infrastructure
This approach is particularly relevant to Helping Hands Academy. Through our St. Francis School – WASH Project, we are also addressing how safe water and sanitation in schools can be improved practically and sustainably.
What matters is not simply building a water point or a toilet. Infrastructure must function reliably, be maintainable and meet pupils’ actual needs.
This is precisely why shared standards, monitoring, hygiene education and the involvement of schools and communities are important elements of sustainable WASH projects.
Learn more about our own School-WASH project:
https://helping-hands.academy/st_francis_school_wash_project/
Good learning conditions start with the basics
The current UNICEF and MoBSE initiative shows that water, sanitation and hygiene are increasingly seen as a fundamental part of education.
No child should learn less effectively or miss lessons because clean water is unavailable, a toilet cannot be used or basic hygiene conditions are lacking.
WASH in Schools therefore means more than better infrastructure. It means health, dignity and better conditions for education.
Sources: UNICEF Gambia, The Point, The Alkamba Times
As of: 10 September 2026