By Alicia Mmashakana
Over 93% of pit toilets have been eradicated through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative, according to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
She told the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday that this significant milestone marked a step towards ensuring that all learners have access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.
While substantial strides have been made, the minister said that the department would intensify efforts to ensure full compliance. She would conduct site visits to the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, the two provinces that are mostly affected by the legacy of unsafe sanitation infrastructure.
Gwarube’s visits will allow for firsthand monitoring of the final phase of implementation, as well as direct engagement with communities, school leaders and implementing agents, to ensure that all remaining projects were completed as planned.
The department acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by budget constraints, infrastructure backlogs and rising construction costs.
Despite this, it remained steadfast in its commitment to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deadline of eliminating unsafe sanitation in schools by the end of the month.
It said that the progress was the result of collaboration between national and provincial education departments, the private sector and development partners, all of whom have played critical roles in accelerating the delivery of safer toilets.
INSIDE EDUCATION
