Rekindling hope through education
Schools get ready to safely reopen in the wake of a cholera crisis
LUSAKA, Zambia, February 2024 --- Nestled within the heart of Kanyama township in Lusaka district, the sprawling Twashuka Primary School boasts towering trees that provide a cool refuge from the scorching Zambian sun. As the reopening of the school is anticipated, the air buzzed with excitement among the dedicated educators. With each step they are taking, pacing from one block to another, they are planning for the return of over 5,000 learners, comprising 2,983 girls and 2,817 boys. Amongst the staff of 40, a strikingly imbalanced ratio of 39 females to a solitary male echoed the vibrant energy coursing through the campus.
Overwhelmed by the nationwide cholera outbreak, this educational haven, like countless others, had been forced into temporary closure. Since 1 December 2023, when the year-end holidays began, children have remained at home eagerly awaiting the originally scheduled reopening on 8 January 2024. Unable to contain her joy, the head teacher enthusiastically shared her anticipation for the long-awaited return to school.
This period has had a detrimental impact on the learners, as they have fallen behind since some of them require the guidance of teachers to excel.
To help schools in Lusaka district get ready for the safe reopening of schools UNICEF, with the generous support from KFW, has provided WASH supplies and educational materials to more than 140 centers, Twashuka Primary School being one of them. The essential kits comprise of:
- Hygenix 6 x 1.5L
- Boom 20 x 500Gm
- Chlorine 12 x 250M
- Buckets blue with tap "hand washing”
- Bucket white with tap "drinking water"
- 3 C's brochures (A4)
- 3 C's posters (A1)
- Chlorine comparator
- Zambia Learning Passport Posters
The importance of WASH in education cannot be overstated, as the majority of communicable diseases, are contact-based and transmitted through hand-to-surface contact, highlight the significance of proper hand hygiene.
The dedicated efforts of the administration, with the school surroundings being cleaned, latrines well-maintained, and proper handwashing stations in place caught the eye of us, visitors. Additionally, teachers were present, diligently working on their planning. Witnessing such enthusiasm to create a safe and protective learning environment for students' return, which was truly inspiring.
The school has taken several measures to prepare for reopening. These include, having an Epidemic committee, painting the classrooms, ensuring smooth floors, introducing sanitized door mats (made by students), procuring additional sprayers to disinfect the classrooms between sessions, and recently hiring extra support staff to assist with general cleaning.
The headteacher, who received the donation on behalf of the school, provided insightful information about the significance of WASH education in preventing diseases such as cholera within the school environment.
The school received government-provided training for four teachers in the field of school health through the Training of Trainers programme. These teachers subsequently trained their colleagues and learners in matters of school health and safety. Consequently, the school now benefits from well-established structures, such as epidemic response, safety, and preventive maintenance committees, including a WASH club whose primary responsibility is educating learners on proper handwashing techniques. These committees will play a crucial role in enhancing surveillance efforts and implementing preventive measures to ensure the safety of all learners within the school premises. Notably, the school is equipped with a functional borehole, ensuring a constant water supply throughout the premises.
One voice representing the learners of Twashuka Primary School expressed her joy at the prospect of returning to school after a lengthy break. A seventh grader, Patience Namwawa (11) is looking forward to studying and taking her final examinations at the end of the year.
I don’t really have concerns; we just need to embrace the safety measures for cholera prevention. This involves diligently washing our hands with clean water and soap, maintaining cleanliness in our surroundings, boiling, or chlorinating our drinking water, securely covering our food, consistently practicing hand hygiene after using the toilet, and prior to eating. Additionally, it's important that we heed the guidance of our teachers.
The head teacher, with 34 years of experience in her field, finds inspiration in being a silent ‘agent of change’. She firmly believes in the power of her learners to multiply life-saving messages when they share them with their families at home. Recognizing UNICEF's valuable contribution to the education sector across the country, she stated, "Education is the great equalizer of humanity, and these children are the future of our country."
"The use of WASH education kits will not only foster an environment conducive for learning but also contribute to the safety and well-being of learners. By equipping our school with these kits, we are ensuring that even if one learner becomes infected, they are considered a contact, triggering immediate action. Emphasizing the significance of personal hygiene, learners will be motivated to maintain cleanliness and adhere to safety and prevention measures, actively reducing the risks of cholera transmission," narrated Mukelabai.
Twashuka Primary School radiates as a symbol of hope amidst the challenges of cholera. Through dedicated teachers, eager students, and a resilient community, they have paved the way for advancement and a promising future. Despite Kanyama compound's cholera hotspot status, their indelible impact endures. On 12 February this school and all the schools across the country will reopen again, and the classrooms and playgrounds will be full of children chasing dreams.
###
