Abstract:
Background: In Ethiopia, the poor sustainability of WASH services results in low coverage.
However, there is limited evidence on the barriers to sustainable WASH services in Addis Ababa
government schools, particularly from the perspective of school community members.
Understanding these factors is vital for enhancing the longevity of WASH services.
Objective: The objective of the study is to explore school WASH conditions and barriers to
sustainability from the users’ perspettive in Addis Ababa government schools.
Methods: This study employed a phenomenological qualitative design to examine the conditions
and barriers to sustainable WASH services in schools. A purposive sample of 45 school
community members participated in in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions
(FGDs). Data were collected, audio-recorded, and transcribed by the data collector and thematic
analysis, facilitated by ATLAS.ti software, was used to identify common themes in the data.
Results: The study revealed significant challenges in school WASH infrastructure, including water
scarcity, non-inclusive WASH facilities, soap unavailability at handwashing stations, operational
and maintenance limitations, resource constraints, student behavior and engagement, and concerns
regarding ownership and accountability that contributed to inadequate hygiene facilities.
Conclusion: Operational and maintenance issues persist due to lack of budget specific to WASH,
while poor student behavior, lack of ownership and accountability, and limited teacher and
community engagement further undermine the effectiveness of WASH initiatives. This paper
recommends interventions to upgrade facilities for inclusivity, utilize ground water for reliable
water supply, advocate for increased funding, recognize the role of janitors and implement a
holistic approach to school WASH that eventually contribute to School WASH sustainability.