Clean Water Transforms Learning at Kooro Primary

Kooro Primary School is located deep in the mountainous terrain of Siwai District in South Bougainville, within the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). Surrounded by dense tropical rainforest and limited road access, the school serves a rural community where essential services, including safe water and sanitation, have historically been difficult to reach.

For more than five decades, water shaped daily life at Kooro Primary School not as a resource, but as a struggle. Each school day began with students walking long distances to fetch water from a nearby creek. Time meant for learning was lost, lessons were frequently interrupted, and preventable health risks became part of everyday life.

As in many rural schools across Papua New Guinea, the absence of WASH in Schools services directly affected education outcomes. Without water on campus, students often arrived late to class or missed lessons entirely. Teachers observed that much of the school day was consumed during recess and lunchtime as children left school grounds in search of water.

“For years, students used to walk long distances to fetch water, and much of the school time was consumed during recess and lunchtime because of this. Many times, students came late for classes.” said Adrian Morou, Head Teacher at Kooro Primary School. 

While the lack of clean water affected all students, girls were disproportionately impacted. Managing hygiene during menstruation without private or safe facilities was extremely challenging. Many female students stayed home during their menstrual cycle, leading to absenteeism, reduced classroom participation, and declining confidence.

“Before, female students would stay at home because of their menstrual cycle,” said Morou. 

“Now we have facilities like the shower room where students can come and use. Absenteeism was a big issue before.”

At Kooro, the WASH challenge was not just about infrastructure. It was about dignity, inclusion, and equal access to education.

Recognising the urgent need, World Vision Papua New Guinea through the Southern Bougainville WASH project (EU SOBO), with funding support from the European Union, partnered with school leadership, local authorities, and the surrounding community to implement a comprehensive WASH in Schools intervention at Kooro Primary School.

The project centred on restoring learning time and creating a safe inclusive and sustainable school environment. The intervention delivered a reliable water supply, gender appropriate and disability inclusive sanitation facilities, shower facilities to support menstrual hygiene management, and hygiene promotion supported by school-led maintenance systems.

By 2024, World Vision began constructing the ablution blocks, and students began using the facilities the following year. 

In total, 230 students and six teachers now benefit from clean water and improved sanitation facilities within the school grounds.

“World Vision, with funding support from the European Union, began construction of this Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene project to address long-standing challenges faced by students and teachers,” said Amos Musembi, WASH Portfolio Manager for World Vision PNG.

Today, water flows freely at Kooro Primary School. Students no longer leave the school compound to fetch water. Time once lost is now spent learning. Teachers report improved focus and participation in the classroom.

“For female students especially, the facilities are really helpful because they have shower rooms as well,” said Roselyn Moiru, a Grade 4 teacher at Kooro Primary School.

Female students are now attending school consistently and with renewed confidence. Education is no longer disrupted by a lack of water. It is supported by it.

To ensure long term impact, the school established WASH Clubs, empowering students to take responsibility for hygiene practices and facility maintenance. Teachers and school leaders were trained to care for and manage the facilities, embedding WASH into daily school life and building a culture of shared ownership.

This approach ensures the benefits extend beyond infrastructure, fostering accountability, resilience, and sustainability.

Kooro Primary School is one of several WASH success stories across South and Central Bougainville, alongside communities such as Takee, Konga Primary School, and others that are seeing similar transformations through improved water access.

World Water Day celebrations held in Arawa Town on 22 March further highlighted the importance of water as a foundation for health, education, and gender equality. Communities travelled long distances, crossing rivers and walking for hours, to participate in the event, demonstrating how deeply water shapes everyday life in Bougainville.

“Despite having abundant water resources, Papua New Guinea still struggles with access to safe drinking water,” said Edmond Bannick, WASH Communication and Promotion Officer with the WASH PMU.

Across the country, lack of WASH services continues to contribute to preventable disease and low life expectancy. Yet stories like Kooro show what is possible when communities, government, and partners work together.

After more than 50 years, Kooro Primary School now has what every school deserves safe water, dignity for students, and a healthy foundation for learning. Clean water has become more than a resource.
It has become confidence for girls, time for learning, and hope for the future.