Operation and Maintenance Financing for School WASH Facilities in Armenia

This is a case study on the financing for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of school WASH facilities in Armenia, based on a review of documents, key informant interviews and visits to 10 rural government schools in Aragotston, Gegharkunik, and Armavir province.

Armenia has the institutional and policy framework and financing mechanism to promote WASH in schools. The Ministry of Education and Science, along with provincial offices and ministerial departments, oversee the construction, rehabilitation and provision of water and sanitation services, along with contribution from other agencies. Despite having a school maintenance budget, due to the absence of a dedicated budget line for WASH and a lack of guidance on amounts to be budgeted for operation and management of WASH facilities, WASH is given low priority.