Healthy school environments mean dignified sanitation, good hygiene practices and safe drinking water where learners can thrive and learn.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) launched the National Guidelines on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools (WinS) National Guidelines in June 2026 at the Welizibuko Primary School in Soweto. The Guidelines provide practical, step-by-step guidance for schools to strengthen water, sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health services, whilst promoting accountability and sustainability across the basic education sector, under the slogan, “Every Child WinS,” underscoring its core mission.

The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, has encouraged schools to participate in the 60-day Ministerial National WASH in Schools Self-Assessment Challenge launched on 17 August, and ending on 16 October 2026. “I request every public school to assess its current water, sanitation and hygiene conditions using the official WinS Self-Assessment Tool, to identify priority areas for improvement, and establish a national baseline for planning, resource allocation and ongoing support. Completed assessments assist the Department to better understand the realities in our schools”. 

Principals were also reassured that this is not an inspection or an audit. Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), along with the nominated Provincial WinS Focal Person, and district teams are coordinating the implementation of the national Guidelines and Ministerial Campaign to promote participation across all districts and schools.

Minister Gwarube will recognise the best performing WASH District with the highest number of schools completing the Self-Assessment, with outstanding commitment at the conclusion of the Challenge. Every child deserves to go to school feeling safe, valued, and able to focus on learning, not worrying about whether the toilets are clean, whether there is water to wash their hands, or whether their needs during menstruation will be met with dignity and support. 

The WinS National Guidelines are a bold step towards empowering learners to build lifelong healthy habits, with positive shifts in learner engagement, community involvement, and overall school pride already being identified.