WASH in Schools Distance-Learning Course

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About the course

The WASH in Schools (WinS) Distance-Learning Course is taught by Dr. Matthew Freeman at Emory University as part of the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health Seminar: Design, Delivery, and Assessment of WASH in Schools (590R). The course is designed by the Center for Global Safe WASH at Emory University in collaboration with UNICEF to assist program managers, implementers, and policymakers in executing and sustaining WASH in Schools programs in partnership with local, sub-national, and national stakeholders. This course has been offered 13 times with nearly 700 graduates from 75+ countries and includes lectures from global leaders in WASH. This course covers recent WASH in Schools initiatives and introduces participants to key evidence from literature and lessons learned to help maximize program impact and sustainability. Considering the vast experience and diverse backgrounds of participants, the course also provides a platform for cross-sectoral learning and experiences sharing with WASH in Schools programs.

Learning outcomes

We expect that at the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Assess the situation in existing schools to identify the extent to which those schools meet WASH standards and targets

  2. Choose appropriate ‘software’ and ‘hardware’ components of a WASH in Schools program and identify mechanisms through which the activities will be delivered

  3. Prepare and implement comprehensive and realistic plans to monitor and evaluate WASH in Schools programs, to promote the sustainable delivery of ‘basic’ and universal access to drinking water, sanitation and handwashing in schools

Target audience

The target audience for this course are for program managers, implementers, policymakers, and students interested in global health and development. Some participants may have experience with WASH programming in general or with WASH in Schools programs in particular. Participants from all levels are encouraged to enroll in the course as they will find utility in the tools and skills they have learned to become WASH in Schools champions, program managers, and researchers.

Course modules

The course addresses core areas of WinS programming within 9 modules that will help participants identify areas of intervention, articulate what the program will do to bring about change, and how program success can be measured.

  1. Introduction to WASH in Schools

  2. Global Monitoring and the Sustainable Development Goals

  3. Planning, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Engagement

  4. Technologies and Hardware

  5. Behavior Change Approaches

  6. Considering Gender

  7. Operation, Maintenance, and Sustainability

  8. Monitoring and Evaluation

  9. Emerging Issues and Emergencies (Climate Resilience)

Course activities

Participants are expected to: (1) Read module summaries and assigned key readings prior to watching recorded lecture videos, (2) watch recorded lectures for each module (1 hour) and answer knowledge checks anytime during the week of the assigned module, (3) attend weekly interactive Zoom sessions (50 minutes) and complete brief assignments (individually or within groups), and (4) Engage and contribute to discussions. For more details, review the course syllabus and course schedule below (January-April 2024).

 
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Course dateS

January 14 to April 7, 2025
(No modules or class for the weeks of February 12th and March 12th - see detailed calendar in the syllabus)

Meeting time

Wednesdays at 8-8:50am ET
(Check your local time)

Course Fee

The course is $600 USD per participant for non-Emory University students.
Emory University students can register with their Spring classes (EH 590R). The course is 1 credit (S/U grading).

Language

Course materials are only offered in English at this time.

Course delivery

Weekly recorded lecture videos and interactive Zoom discussion sessions will cover recent WinS initiatives, key evidence, and lessons learned to help maximize program impact and sustainability. Strong internet connection and device with microphone/camera access required for participation.

Certificate

Upon completion of the course, participants will be given a certificate from Emory University’s Center for Global Safe WASH and UNICEF.

 

Instructors

Dr. Matthew Freeman facilitates the course, which includes lectures from global leaders in WASH.

  

Course Designers

Center for Global Safe WASH at Emory University in collaboration with UNICEF

course Publications

Questions?

For information about registration, logistics, course content, etc., please contact washinschools@emory.edu.