Gwarube sets March deadline to eradicate pit toilets at schools
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube told the National Assembly that since taking office, she had prioritised the issue of pit toilets and sanitation facilities in public schools.
The state of more than 3,500 schools in South Africa forcing children to use pit latrines. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said that a deadline has been set to eradicate pit toilets at schools by March next year.
Gwarube highlighted that government managed to eradicate some 4,000 toilets over the last few years and was now sitting at less than 300.
Gwarube was taking oral questions from MPs in the National Assembly as part of the social services cluster.
Gwarube told the National Assembly that since taking office, she had prioritised the issue of pit toilets and sanitation facilities in public schools.
They have now given themselves seven months to eradicate the toilets.
"I have made this a priority of the seventh administration to make sure that we eradicate all pit toilets in particular by the end of this financial year, which ends in March 2025."
She said that as things stand, there were 259 sanitation projects that needed to be completed.
Gwarube said her department would still conduct continuous audits to find out if any pit toilets are re-erected.