Plan India swachh bharat swachh vidyalaya
                     PLAN INDIA SWACHH BHARAT SWACHH 
VIDYALAYA
 In 2015, the Government of India launched Smart Cities Mission, an 
initiative to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life by 
enabling local development and harnessing technology. The mission 
also includes developing school infrastructure and improving 
classroom activities. Plan India, with USAID and Coca Cola India, 
launched the ‘Urban WASH - Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya’ (SBSV) 
project to support the Government of India’s Smart City Mission.
 The three-year project which concluded in July 2019, has created a 
replicable model for developing need-based child-friendly WASH 
infrastructure in schools. It also advocated the effective use of this 
infrastructure and its eventual ownership by School Management 
Committees (SMCs). SBSV created age, gender and ability appropriate 
infrastructure in 20 schools each in three cities - Vishakhapatnam, 
Pune and Dehradun. All 3 of these will now scale the project across all 
government schools in their respective municipalities with support 
from Plan’s implementation partners.
 The project aimed at helping duty bearers, teachers, SMCs, 
community members and children in realising their right to 
equitable and sustainable access to improved sanitation facilities 
and safe drinking water. It also worked to increase awareness on 
the impact of open defecation and hygiene on health. It 
prioritised developmental aspects to ensure better enrolment, 
retention and development of the children and building a 
conducive learning atmosphere to promote continued education. 
 SBSV empowered Child WASH Parliaments (Bal Swachhata 
Samitis) to take part in the close monitoring, proper use and 
maintenance of school WASH infrastructure. The project engaged 
municipal and education department personnel for delivering on 
their responsibilities towards ensuring quality WASH in identified 
schools. The emphasis was on the participation of girls and 
engagement around menstrual hygiene management helped 
address dropout rates. 
 Plan India developed knowledge products and presented them to 
the government to ensure sustained maintenance of WASH 
infrastructure and continued hygienic practices. School WASH 
forums were established under the aegis of government officials, 
CSOs, multilateral organisations and the private sector for 
sustained impact and scalability. Of special note is the 
development of the children as agents of change to lead the 
interventions themselves.
 
 Highlights
 40 million rupees mobilised by Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal 
Corporation (GVMC) for SBSV model due to Plan’s efforts.
 24,870 children (58.2% girls) provided access to potable water and 
safe sanitation
 14% increase (13% for girls) in school enrolment
 Read More: https://www.planindia.org/