Assessing Sustainability of WASH Projects Using USAT: A Case of Public Schools in Zambezi District of Zambia

Year 2019, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 29 - 45, 30.06.2019

Niraj Jaın Roy Chıleshe Francis Muwowo Specious Mulenga

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an empirical case study of public schools in Zambezi district of Zambia undertaken to assess the sustainability of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects in the rural schools using five variables and a simpler assessment framework- the unit-based sustainability assessment tool (USAT). The importance of sustainability in
WASH Projects cannot be overemphasized with the rampant outbreaks of cholera in Zambia. The study contends that in order for WASH to be sustainable, there ought to be five ingredients: availability of WASH facilities; training and equipment capacity amongst the WASH implementers; community participation; effective monitoring and evaluation system; knowledge-transfer to pupils in the rural schools. It is against this background that a survey of school teachers and community members was undertaken. Empirical findings show that all variables scored below the 50% benchmark for adequate sustainability performance. The study concludes that WASH projects in the rural schools of Zambezi district are not sustainable. It is therefore recommended that WASH implementers should be adequately trained. The beneficiaries of WASH should be provided with all facilities and, the community should be fully involved in the WASH implementation process.

Keywords

Sustainability, WASH projects, Rural schools, Unit-based sustainability Tool (USAT), Water-borne diseases

ASSESSING SUSTAINABILITY OF WASH PROJECTS USING USAT: A CASE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ZAMBEZI DISTRICT OF ZAMBIA

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an empirical
case study of public schools in Zambezi district of Zambia undertaken to assess
the sustainability of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects in the
rural schools using five variables and a simpler assessment framework- the unit-based
sustainability assessment tool (USAT). The importance of sustainability in WASH
Projects cannot be overemphasized with the rampant outbreaks of cholera in
Zambia. The study contends that in order for WASH to be sustainable, there
ought to be five ingredients: availability of WASH facilities; training and
equipment capacity amongst the WASH implementers; community participation; effective
monitoring and evaluation system; knowledge-transfer to pupils in the rural schools.
It is against this background that a survey of school teachers and community
members was undertaken. Empirical
findings show that all variables scored below the 50% benchmark for adequate
sustainability performance.
The study concludes that WASH projects in the rural schools of Zambezi district
are not sustainable. It is therefore recommended that WASH implementers should
be adequately trained. The beneficiaries of WASH should be provided with all
facilities and, the community should be fully involved in the WASH
implementation process.

Keywords

Sustainability, WASH projects, Rural schools, Unit-based sustainability Tool (USAT), , Water-borne diseases

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