An Evaluation of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program for Strengthening Health Management Practices

This study evaluated the implementation of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program at a public elementary school in the Milagros West District, Masbate Province, using a quantitative descriptive research design. Data were collected from 99 Grades 4–6 learners and one WinS Program Coordinator through a researcher-made questionnaire anchored on the Department of Education's WinS validation tool. Results revealed that the school achieved a Level 3 validation rating under the 3-Star Approach; however, actual implementation practices did not fully align with the validation results. The school's demographic profile included 14 teachers, 261 learners, and 12 classrooms. Significant challenges identified included the lack of potable drinking water (78.79%), the absence of refuse pits (66.67%), non-functional toilets for learners with disabilities (75.76%), irregular supply of hygiene kits (90.91%), and the absence of student-led health initiatives (64.65%). To address these issues, the school strengthened partnerships among stakeholders, mobilized resources for facility improvement, and conducted continuous monitoring and evaluation. The study recommends authentic validation procedures, greater student participation, and sustained community involvement to ensure the effective and equitable implementation of the WinS Program in promoting school health management.