UNICEF to launch mobile app for sanitary measures in Malda schools

Kolkata: To help West Bengal government monitor sanitation initiatives in the schools of Malda district, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will launch a mobile application next month.

According to WASH specialist, UNICEF SN Dave,"the UNICEF is helping West Bengal with a mobile application to help them monitor the sanitation initiatives in the districts."

In Malda district all school inspectors and teachers will be equipped with the mobile app from next month, he said.

"Using the app, they will be monitoring whether toilets are functional, whether they are being used or hand washing is being done or not and other activities related to sanitation," Dave added.

The information will be fed to a server and will be available on a real-time basis. The information from grassroot will be conveyed to the state, Save said.

The app, developed by Hyderabad's Administrative Staff College of India, was first launched in Telangana two months back and helped the state government in understanding whether its resources used for the sanitation project were properly utilized or not.

"This app will help the state governments to check whether the fund used in the project is being effectively used or not. With a budget of Rs 22 lakh for each district now it will be launched in Malda district and will then go to other districts," Dave said.