ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Education has announced its ongoing efforts to ensure all schools in Ethiopia have access to water, latrines, and hygiene materials, with support from aid organizations and stakeholders.
This initiative primarily targets primary school students, encouraging them to maintain hygiene, particularly hand washing, to prevent diseases and support their education.
The Ministry is collaborating with the One Wash National Program and the Ministry of Water and Energy to achieve these goals. The aim is to provide sanitation materials to schools, helping students maintain their health and well-being while attending classes.
This was disclosed during the Global Hand washing Day celebrations in Ethiopia, held at Atse Neakutoleab Primary School, which included various awareness campaigns and messages. Desalegn Teshome, Senior Expert at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the importance of hand washing for students and teachers, particularly before and after meals, as part of everyday school and home routines.
Global Hand washing Day, observed annually on October 15, raises awareness about the critical role of hand washing in preventing diseases and saving lives. This year’s theme is “To maintain my health and save my life, I will wash my hands with soap and water.”
Lifebuoy hosted the event at Atse Neakutoleab Primary School, featuring AI-driven personalized hand washing messages for children through interactive games and songs. Unilever Ethiopia’s Managing Director, George Owusu Ansah, highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting hygiene education through innovative tools like AI-Teacher Hippo, which aims to revolutionize hygiene practices in schools.
The hygiene education initiative will continue throughout October, reaching thousands of students across Ethiopia.
Unilever is a global consumer goods company with a presence in more than 190 countries. Established in Ethiopia in 1960, Unilever Ethiopia produces a variety of products ranging from food and beverages to personal care and home care items.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2024
