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. For too many of our learners, especially in under-resourced schools, this is still not a guaranteed reality.

The National Guidelines on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools (WinS) are a bold step toward changing that. These Guidelines reflect our commitment to creating school environments that uphold the health, safety, and dignity of every learner. They are rooted in the belief that learning cannot flourish where basic human needs are unmet.

These Guidelines are the result of meaningful collaboration between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and our valued partners, including government departments, civil society organisations, and development agencies. They offer practical tools to support the daily management of sanitation facilities, promote hygiene education, and ensure that menstrual health is addressed not as a side issue, but as an essential part of learner wellbeing and participation.

Through simple, school-based tools such as a self-assessment checklist and a 21-day in-school hygiene programme integrated into Life Orientation, learners are empowered to build lifelong healthy habits. In pilot schools, we have already seen positive shifts in learner engagement, community involvement, and overall school pride. These are the kinds of changes that matter, not just for today, but for generations to come.