11 646 South African schools still using pit toilets

19 August 2014

A reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that 11 646 of the 23 906 schools in South Africa still use pit toilets with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape accounting for 60% of the pit toilets in schools. KZN accounts for 3 419 of these pit toilets and the Eastern Cape accounts for 3 535. This is a disgrace. 

The DA will write to the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, requesting a progress report on her Department's interventions in the provinces most affected, and what steps will be taken to address these continued problems.

The reply also reveals that 518 schools in KZN are without electricity.

It is clear that most provinces are not meeting their infrastructure targets, forcing learners to endure horrific conditions at schools.

The use of open pit toilets presents a very real danger to students as they breed disease and harbour bacteria which can cause illness. It is extremely dangerous for young children in particular to use these toilets. As such, the Minister must look to putting measures in place to ensure that these toilets are maintained and kept safe in the interim.

The relevant provincial departments must as a matter of urgency provide functional sanitation facilities at South African schools to ensure the health and safety of our country's young learners while affording them the dignity that they deserve.

If the Minister is serious about transforming education in South Africa, she would do well to consider placing proper facilities in South African schools for our youth to learn in a safe and clean environment. 

Statement issued by Desiree van der Walt MP, DA Shadow Deputy of Basic Education, August 19 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter