Best schools at practicing sanitation awarded in Khulna
On 25th October, a school assembly and prize-giving ceremony to present awards to the most sanitized schools in Khulna was held in Shahid Hadis Park, Khulna.
The event was held under the Sanitation Month and World Hand Wash Day 2017 observation, Organised by Khulna City Corporation’s FSM School Sanitation Program in association with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation.
The main aim of the School Sanitation Program is to include faecal sludge management in the sanitation practices of schools, emptying the septic tanks in schools regularly and safely, keeping in place hand washing facilities for students after using lavatories, raising awareness among school-going children about faecal sludge management, including FSM in the student council initiatives, and encouraging formation of a fund in schools for sustainable sanitation system.
Three primary schools and three secondary schools in Khulna received the awards of the most sanitized schools. The three primary schools who received the awards are: Daulatpur Mohsin Government Primary School, Raimahal Hamidnagar Haji Md. Mohsin Government Primary School, and Sonar Bangla Government Primary School. The secondary schools receiving the awards are: SOS Herman Gmeiner School, BN School and College, and Reverend Paul’s High School.
Representatives of teachers and students of all the primary and secondary schools in Khulna city, which totaled to around 700, officials from the Khulna City Corporation, representatives from different NGOs and representatives from other public and private organisations attended the event.
The occasion was presided by Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal, Chairman, Education and Culture Related Standing Committee, Khulna City Corporation. Md. Moniruzzaman, Mayor, Khulna City Corporation, attended the event as Chief Guest. The Special Guests at the program included Md Gias Uddin, Additional District Administrator (Education and ICT), Khulna; Palash Kanti Bala, Chief Executive Officer, Khulna City Corporation; KM Humayun Kabir, Chairman, Waste Management Standing Committee, Khulna City Corporation; Md. Waliul Islam, Divisional Deputy Director, Primary Education, Khulna; Professor TM Zakir Hossain, Regional Director, Department of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Khulna; Md. Abdullah, Managing Director, Khulna WASA; Brig. Gen. Ahsanul Haque Mian, Chairman, KDA; Prof. Dr. Md. Alamgir, Vice Chancellor, KUET; and Dr. Md. Fayek Uzzaman, Vice Chancellor, Khulna University. Md. Iqbal Hossain, Secretary, Khulna City Corporation; and Rajeev Munankami, Team Leader of FSM Program of SNV Netherlands Development Organisation were also present at the event.
The event consisted of presentations by Md. Aminul Islam, Thana Education Officer, Khulna Sadar on best primary schools practicing sanitation; and Kamruzzaman, Research Officer, Office of the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, on the rigorous selection process undertaken to select the best sanitised schools, as well as speeches by the present guests and representatives of the organisers.
The event was followed by Quiz Competition, Video show and Pot show.
Follow up activities to the program will be implemented after this event. The student councils and SMC teachers will be made aware about improved sanitation systems and plan. Mainly, efforts will be directed towards ensuring entry rights regarding sanitation, exercises or practice, administration, maintenance, and longevity of the processes implemented. Technical assistance will be provided regarding inclusion of FSM in the regular meetings of schools. In addition, students will be encouraged to act as agents of change to have safe and environmentally safe sanitation service in the Khulna.