Crystal Journal of Environmental Science, Innovation & Green Development - Current Issue

Abstract
Background: Schools are important settings for public health education, water conservation, sanitation practice, and environmental stewardship. In Uganda, children and youth remain a critical but often underutilized stakeholder group in water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and environmental governance. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) established School Water and Sanitation (SWAS) Clubs to promote safe water use, hygiene, sanitation, environmental responsibility, and youth participation through school-based engagement.

Objective: This paper documents the NWSC SWAS Clubs experience as a youth-centered, school-based model for inclusive and climate-resilient WASH and environmental health governance.

Methods: A qualitative institutional case study design was adopted. Data were drawn from NWSC annual reports, SWAS programme records, outreach reports, participation records from schools, media reports, and observational insights from programme implementation between 2022 and 2025. A descriptive thematic analysis was used to synthesize programme activities, participation patterns, reported outputs, and lessons for public institutions and water utilities.

Results: The SWAS model combines demonstrations, games, career guidance, mentorship, exhibitions, environmental campaigns, tree planting, community clean-ups, and water conservation messages. Available programme records indicate that SWAS outreach has reached over 2,000 students through direct structured engagement; the programme has expanded from 50 schools at launch in 2014 to more than 740 schools across NWSC operational regions; and environmental campaigns have engaged more than 20,000 students across over 400 schools. SWAS-related platforms have also involved over 120 schools in exhibitions and innovation showcases, while environmental action has contributed to wider institutional tree-planting and catchment protection efforts.

Conclusion: The NWSC SWAS Clubs demonstrate that children and youth can contribute meaningfully to WASH, environmental health education, and climate-resilient governance when participation is structured, experiential, and linked to institutional service delivery. The model offers a scalable approach for water utilities, schools, and public institutions seeking to integrate youth into sustainable water and environmental management.

Keywords
Youth Engagement, WASH in Schools, Environmental Health, Water Governance, Climate Resilience, School Health, Uganda, NWSC

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