Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube is determined to eliminate pit toilets in state schools by March next year. Since taking office, she has focused on addressing the critical issue of unsafe sanitation facilities in schools. Gwarube emphasized the urgency of eradicating pit toilets to ensure the safety and dignity of learners. Despite progress being made, there are still 259 sanitation projects pending completion by 2025.
Gwarube acknowledged challenges with implementing agents causing delays and poor workmanship. She stressed the importance of holding agents accountable for their work to prevent subpar infrastructure in schools. The minister also highlighted the need for waterless sanitation options to combat water challenges affecting some schools.
Efforts to address sanitation issues in schools have been ongoing, with the SAFE program aiming to improve facilities in 4,000 schools. While progress has been made, Gwarube acknowledged that more needs to be done to ensure all schools have safe and dignified sanitation by 2025.
By implementing rigorous oversight and accountability measures, the education department aims to improve the quality of sanitation facilities in schools and prevent further delays in infrastructure development.