“𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨” – 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐅 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, joined the global community in commemorating Global Handwashing Day, celebrated annually on October 15 under the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero.”

Global Handwashing Day serves as a reminder of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing illness and promoting health in schools and communities. Clean hands save lives, and this year’s theme calls on every student, teacher, and parent to become a champion for handwashing and healthy hygiene habits.

Recognising that student health and well-being are central to quality learning, the Ministry of Education has strengthened hygiene promotion in schools through the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiative.

In collaboration with UNICEF, the Ministry is supporting hygiene education and WASH improvements across 14 schools in the Lami district, an area identified as a typhoid hotspot.

Through these efforts, schools have seen improved handwashing facilities, increased access to clean water, and greater awareness of good hygiene practices. Teachers report that students’ health and attendance have improved significantly as a result of these interventions.

Each of the 14 participating schools now has active Student WASH Clubs and School WASH Committees, responsible for maintaining handwashing stations, monitoring soap availability, and implementing school-specific WASH improvement plans. To further strengthen clean water access, 15 new water tanks have been distributed to these schools through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.

To promote national consistency, the Ministry of Education has also issued Circluarto 91 schools across Fiji encouraging daily handwashing with soap as part of school routines.

Mr. Kencho Namgyal, Chief of WASH, UNICEF Pacific, stated:“Handwashing with soap is one of the most cost-effective methods to prevent disease. Engaging school children has multiple benefits. They develop healthy habits through daily practice in schools, carry these messages home to their families and communities, and grow into adults and future leaders with lifelong hygiene behaviors. We are delighted to work directly with children and the Ministry of Education to promote handwashing with soap among school children in Fiji.”

The Ministry of Education continues to champion school health programs that promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. The celebration of Global Handwashing Day 2025 reaffirms Fiji’s commitment to creating healthier schools and empowering students to be handwashing heroes in their communities.

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