Facilities management plan: tool for effective operation and maintenance of school WASH facilities

A School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Policy and Strategy Framework was developed for Ghana in 2010 and launched in 2014. Safe water and sanitation are key components of the policy. A National Strategy for WASH in Schools has been developed under this component. To ensure the sustainability of school WASH facilities a comprehensive Facilities and Management Plan (FMP) was developed. The inability of existing schools to properly operate and manage their WASH facilities was found to be one of the main challenges leading to the breakdown of facilities provided. The FMP focuses on the necessary actions, and the people responsible to make sure the actions are taken to ensure the sustainability of what is provided. It also provides a costing framework which will enable school authorities and the managers of schools to provide the appropriate resource when required for the well-being of school children in Ghana.