By Johnathan Paoli
One of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s priorities is eradicating pit toilets in schools, which continue to be a hazard and claim the lives of pupils
Gwarube told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that around 4000 pit toilets have been identified nationally, with just over 200 remaining as of now.
She emphasised the government’s commitment to clearing this backlog by March 2025, and reiterated that no child should be subjected to unsafe sanitation conditions.
“Eradicating pit toilets is one of my top priorities. We have completed 527 projects aimed at replacing inappropriate toilets, with another 581 projects are in progress,” Gwarube said.
The minister acknowledged that while new toilets had been built, some remained unsealed, posing ongoing safety risks.
She was speaking during the NCOP’s social cluster question and answer session on Tuesday.
On budget cuts in basic education, Gwarube pointed to the broader economic context, which included substantial debt servicing and a history of corruption draining resources.
She made it clear that while education remained a critical area of focus, the constraints on funding were severe.
“Each province has immense power over how they allocate their budgets. We can recommend, but the final decisions rest with them,” she explained.
Gwarube reassured the NCOP that no teachers would be retrenched despite the ongoing budget cuts, but acknowledged that provinces might opt not to fill certain posts.
The minister also addressed concerns regarding underperforming infrastructure projects and the role of implementing agents, expressing frustration over repeat offenders who failed to meet contractual obligations.
“We are adopting a zero-tolerance approach to shoddy work,” she asserted, indicating plans to blacklist non-compliant providers.
Gwarube confirmed that an independent audit of school sanitation facilities would be undertaken to ensure transparency and accountability.
The government aims to create a real-time data system to monitor progress effectively.
Looking ahead, Gwarube expressed a strong commitment to collaboration with provincial education departments, stressing that while she could not instruct provinces, she was actively working to facilitate improved outcomes.
“It’s essential that provinces use their allocated funds effectively, particularly for infrastructure development,” she noted.
As the minister concluded her address, she reaffirmed her dedication to improving the educational landscape in the country, underscoring that the challenges faced were dynamic and required ongoing vigilance and adaptability.
The session highlighted the urgent need for reform and a commitment from the department to address both infrastructural and systemic challenges, ensuring that the rights of every learner to safe and dignified education were upheld.
INSIDE EDUCATION
