School WASH Infrastructure: Water and Sanitation Planning

Access to clean water and safe sanitation in schools is fundamental to health, gender equality, and education outcomes. Yet, designing and maintaining these systems in resource-limited settings presents unique engineering, financial, and social challenges. This text-based course guides you through the foundational principles of planning, implementing, and managing School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. You will develop the practical skills needed to assess school needs, select appropriate technologies, and design sustainable maintenance programs that keep systems functional over the long term. In this course, you will: 1. Understand the core principles of school WASH and its impact on student health and enrollment. 2. Assess school site requirements and calculate water demand based on student populations. 3. Evaluate sanitation technologies, from basic latrines to climate-resilient and ecological options. 4. Design inclusive facility plans that address gender-specific needs and accessibility requirements. 5. Develop sustainable operation and maintenance plans using community-based management models. 6. Apply basic monitoring frameworks to track water quality and system functionality. Starting with essential terminology and global standards, the course transitions into practical technical selection, budgeting, and community engagement strategies. You will read through detailed planning scenarios and analyze structured frameworks for long-term project viability. This course is designed for beginners, including community organizers, school administrators, development practitioners, and public health students. No prior engineering or infrastructure planning experience is required. Equip yourself with the knowledge to bring safe, sustainable water and sanitation systems to schools that need them most.