School-based deworming is a safe, simple and cost-effective solution to the problem of parasitic worms. With more schools than clinics, and more teachers than health workers, the existing and extensive education infrastructure provides the most efficient way to reach the highest number of school-age children. With the support from the local health system, teachers can administer treatment to large numbers of school-age children with minimal training.

Regular deworming contributes to good health and nutrition for school-age children, which in turn leads to increased enrollment and attendance, reduced class repetition, and increased educational attainment. It also leads to greater earnings and workforce participation when these children grow to be adults. The most disadvantaged children often suffer most from poor health and malnutrition, and gain the most benefit from deworming.

School-based deworming is now recognized as a significant contributor to achieving Education For All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals. As a result, Ministries of Education, United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and other development partners have made school-based deworming an education policy priority. The overwhelming effects of school-based deworming are a crucial step towards achieving universal global education.