Paper Title
Climate Change Impacts on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: are Schools Responsive to drought?

Abstract
Climate change and its consequences disrupt learning processes in schools, with those in rural areas the most vulnerable. Underdeveloped countries lack preparedness and response mechanisms to the impacts of climate change, jeopardising learners’ health. The study was aimed at investigating level of selected primary schools’ exposure to effects of drought and floods. Critical and underlying issues behind unsustainable WASH infrastructure, and upgrade potential in order to be resilient to climate change, is also investigated. Data collection entailed surveys and interview sessions for learners, teachers and some parents. FINDINGS: All the schools in the study area did not obtain water supply services from the water utility. Approximately 70% of Mafeteng schools had boreholes and piped water. However, 12% of boreholes had a low water table; 24% had broken pump arms and 24% lacked fuel for pumping water. Piped water was the main source of water for 57% of Maseru schools, and 43% were boreholes. Rainwater harvesting was practiced by 63% of the schools, but shortage of tanks compromised water collection. Water conservation was not practised by all schools in the study. Only 25% and 14% of Mafeteng and Maseru schools, respectively, had hand washing facilities. A majority (75%) of Mafeteng schools had VIP and amalooloo toilets, whereas 25% had pit latrines. Amalooloo toilets were not used by 30% of the schools due to water shortage, forcing learners to use nearby bushes since pit latrines were full. Approximately 71% of Maseru schools had pit latrines, 29% had VIP toilets, and 20% of pit latrines were not flood-resilient. Conclusion: All the schools did not have climate-resilient WASH infrastructure. Learner’s health was under threat, and this promoted water-borne and water-washed diseases. These were no contingency plans during water shortage. Recommendations: Tippy taps fitted with solar-powered sensors for releasing soap can be constructed, and, grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting should be practiced for non-consumption uses. Government has to prioritise provision of climate-resilient WASH infrastructure for protection of learners’ health, together with that of their teachers, since they are disease carriers to their families and other community members. Disease transmission is worsened by inadequate waste management whereby degrading waste attracts disease vectors. Novelty: This was a baseline study seeking to establish underlying issues to compromised WASH in rural primary schools, and findings can be utilised by decision makers in order for the country to achieve SDGs 3, 4, 6, 9 and 13. Keywords - Climate Change, Infrastructure Resilience, Learners’ Health, Primary Schools, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene