Basic Education launches school safety app to eradicate pit toilets
The app was unveiled to the media in Tshwane on Monday afternoon during a briefing by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
The state of more than 3,500 schools in South Africa forcing children to use pit latrines. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - A newly launched government school safety app is poised to eradicate pit latrines across the country.
The app was unveiled to the media in Tshwane on Monday afternoon during a briefing by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
While the platform is expected to eventually address issues like textbook deliveries and school nutrition, its primary focus is on helping the department phase out the use of pit toilets in schools.
READ: Gwarube sets March deadline to eradicate pit toilets at schools
In August, the Department of Public Works identified over 3,000 schools still using the dangerous facilities, mostly in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of the Northern Cape.
Gwarube said the app, set to go live on Monday, will be a game changer.
"The app ensures that everyone involved -- from government officials, implementing agents, administrators, and communities. We are all remaining focused on achieving the goal of eradicating pit toilets in South Africa once and for all. We will always have access to real-time data. So that we know where we are going and we know where we are falling behind," she said.