Understand the topic
What this means in daily life
School health and safety are part of the learning environment. A water tap, toilet, kitchen or sports ground is useful only when it is safe, usable and available to the children who need it.
This topic connects daily operation with a clear response when something fails. Health decisions belong with qualified services; schools should make support easier to reach and protect children's privacy.
Data reference table
Evidence Snapshot
Read each value with its reporting period, population and limitations. A historical national reference is not a local baseline or proof that an IFT proposal works.
4 source-linked reference records. 3 measurement records still need data and a review of their relevance.
| Signal | Reference Value | Period / Population | How to Read It | Source Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools reporting girls’ toilets | 97.3% Historical reference | Academic year 2024–25 India; schools in UDISE+ | Facility presence recorded in school reporting. Limitations: Presence is not the same as usable, safe, maintained toilets; do not directly compare this administrative universe with ASER school visits. | Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education Official government release UDISE+ 2024–25: Ministry of Education release and indicator tables Published: 2025-08-28 Publication checked: 2026-11-04 Value, period and coverage checked in publication |
| Schools reporting handwashing facilities | 95.9% Historical reference | Academic year 2024–25 India; schools in UDISE+ | Basic school hygiene infrastructure reference. Limitations: Availability does not show water continuity, soap availability, correct use or infection outcomes. | Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education Official government release UDISE+ 2024–25: Ministry of Education release and indicator tables Published: 2025-08-28 Publication checked: 2026-11-04 Value, period and coverage checked in publication |
| Schools reporting a playground | 83.0% Historical reference | Academic year 2024–25 India; schools in UDISE+ | Space for physical activity recorded in school reporting. Limitations: Does not establish safe equipment, usable hours, inclusive access or actual sports participation. | Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education Official government release UDISE+ 2024–25: Ministry of Education release and indicator tables Published: 2025-08-28 Publication checked: 2026-11-04 Value, period and coverage checked in publication |
| Visited schools with usable girls’ toilets | 72.0% Historical reference | ASER 2024 school visits Visited government schools with primary sections in the rural sample | Usability measure from school visits. Limitations: Different survey population and method from UDISE+ reported facility presence; the two percentages must not be treated as a like-for-like trend. | ASER Centre / Pratham Education Foundation Primary research report non government sample survey Published: Not stated on the retrieved publication Publication checked: 2026-11-04 Value, period and coverage checked in publication |
| Functional WASH days | Not established Data required — not zero | Reporting period: Information Required Population and geography: Information Required | Proposed measure; no observed value is established here. Limitations: Define the measure, unit, reporting period and covered population; obtain a traceable dataset and review its suitability for this topic before using a number. | Source organisation: Information Required Direct source URL: not yet verified Source publication date: not established Verification status: Data required |
| Meal quality and continuity | Not established Data required — not zero | Reporting period: Information Required Population and geography: Information Required | Proposed measure; no observed value is established here. Limitations: Define the measure, unit, reporting period and covered population; obtain a traceable dataset and review its suitability for this topic before using a number. | Source organisation: Information Required Direct source URL: not yet verified Source publication date: not established Verification status: Data required |
| Referral completion | Not established Data required — not zero | Reporting period: Information Required Population and geography: Information Required | Proposed measure; no observed value is established here. Limitations: Define the measure, unit, reporting period and covered population; obtain a traceable dataset and review its suitability for this topic before using a number. | Source organisation: Information Required Direct source URL: not yet verified Source publication date: not established Verification status: Data required |
Different surveys, administrative records, estimates and reporting years are not interchangeable. No combined IFT score is calculated from these rows.
Evidence coverage and review log (CSV) · Structured evidence register (JSON)
10 ideas for this topic
What could be done — and what needs testing
These are proposals for research and local testing. They are not claims that a project has been funded, implemented or proved successful.
A daily usable-facility check
Give named staff a short check for water availability, toilet access, handwashing and obvious building hazards.
What to check: Record faults, temporary protection and repair responsibility rather than a simple annual yes/no.
A drinking-water response record
Arrange water-quality checks through competent services and document how unsafe results trigger protective action.
What to check: Confirm an alternative safe supply and recheck before normal use resumes.
A meal-quality observation route
Create a clear route for reporting problems with ingredients, preparation, serving and meal access.
What to check: Protect staff and families who raise concerns and involve qualified food-safety support when needed.
An inclusive activity timetable
Protect regular movement and sports time with options for children with different abilities and interests.
What to check: Check participation across groups and avoid selecting only already-skilled athletes.
A confidential referral follow-up
Help families understand an authorised health referral and the practical steps to reach the receiving service.
What to check: Restrict sensitive information and check whether travel, cost or scheduling prevented access.
A school-route walkthrough
Review the journey to school with authorised transport and local teams, including waiting places and crossings.
What to check: Use safe participation methods and avoid publishing individual children's routes.
A child-friendly concern route
Explain trusted adults and reporting options in language and formats children understand.
What to check: Test whether children know what happens next and who can help if the first adult is unavailable.
Practice emergency roles
Use age-appropriate drills to check exits, headcounts, accessible assistance and communication roles.
What to check: Review observed problems and avoid frightening or humiliating children.
A maintenance budget tied to faults
Use the fault register to estimate recurring repair, cleaning and replacement needs.
What to check: Check that responsibility continues after construction or equipment handover.
A wellbeing review with families
Discuss group-level patterns in attendance, access, sports participation and unresolved support needs.
What to check: Use the discussion to identify barriers without exposing individual health records.