Gwarube optimistic on meeting March deadline to eradicate pit latrines
Last year the minister made the ambitious commitment while hundreds of schools lacked adequate sanitation at the time.
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 is optimistic that her Department will meet the March 31 deadline it set to eradicate all pit latrines in the country’s schools.
Last year the minister made the ambitious commitment while hundreds of schools lacked adequate sanitation at the time.
Earlier this month, the Human Rights Commission released a report, zooming in on the Eastern Cape which has over 400 schools with pit latrines.
READ: Basic Education launches school safety app to eradicate pit toilets
The Chapter Nine institution called this a violation of learners’ rights to dignity, safety and life among others.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 10th basic education sector Lekgotla in Boksburg in Gauteng's East Rand, Gwarube also highlighted the difficulties in the department’s pursuit of pit-latrine-free schools.
"We are making good progress. I'm really quite impressed with where the department is and I'm quite pleased that we are getting closer and closer. But we also have to understand that we are in a difficult terrain in South Africa where there are communities that some communities have no water and therefore there's no infrastructure. So then you find alternative means and ways to be able to provide dignified sanitation even in an environment like that. And we're going to work hard to make sure that we eradicate all pit toilets as far as we can."