Safe water, sanitation key to student learning –DepEd

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MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday underscored the importance of access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation facilities in scho...

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION. A clean sanitation facility in a public school in this undated photo. Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday (Nov. 11, 2026) stressed the importance of sustained access to these facilities to ensure learners’ nutrition and improve their classroom performance, following the country’s participation in the Global Child Nutrition Forum 2026 in Zambia. (Photo courtesy of DepEd)

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday underscored the importance of access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation facilities in schools to ensure learners’ nutrition.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said healthy school learning environments are “foundational” in addressing learning gaps among children.

"You cannot separate a child's physical health from their ability to learn,” he said, noting that these facilities are deemed “critical” to help enhance learners’ performance in classrooms.

“Feeding programs work best when paired with clean water to drink, safe toilets to use, and daily handwashing habits that keep kids healthy and in school.”

The DepEd chief made the remark as the agency participated in the Global Child Nutrition Forum 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia, from Nov. 2 to 5.

The Philippine presentation gained strong interest from international counterparts, particularly delegates from Burundi, Ethiopia, Lesotho, and the host nation, Zambia.

"Our work is far from over, and we still have many schools to reach. But seeing other nations look closely at the Philippine experience affirms that our push for safer, cleaner, and healthier schools is on the right track," Angara said.

During the event, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Governance and Operations Roger Masapol particularly discussed the government's efforts to institutionalize the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program since its launch in 2016.

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