The Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) has voiced concerns regarding the Department of Basic Education's (DBE) progress towards the promised eradication of pit toilets in schools by the looming deadline of March 31, 2025.
Representing over 245 000 public-sector employees, the PSA says it acknowledges that while significant strides have been made, the task remains daunting.
During a parliamentary session in 2024, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced that the deadline for eliminating these unsafe sanitation facilities now stands firm.
The association says pit toilets, prevalent in rural communities across KwaZulu-Natal, have been the cause of tragic incidents, including the fatalities of children who fell into the hazardous holes and suffered from methane gas inhalation.
The unfavourable conditions surrounding these toilets, essentially a hole in the ground without flushing mechanisms or proper waste management, have perpetuated a cycle of health crises, with contaminated water sources leading to disease proliferation and environmental degradation.
Despite government initiatives aimed at enhancing sanitation through the construction of new flush toilets and waste management systems, challenges like water shortages and insufficient funding continue to impede progress.
The PSA recently addressed the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, highlighting their concerns about the slow pace of the project as the deadline draws near. Alarmingly, reports reveal that over 100 schools in KwaZulu-Natal remain reliant on pit toilets.
"Every child should have access to a clean environment and proper sanitation," the PSA emphasised.
"Pit toilets not only undermine the right to quality education but also strip children of their fundamental human right to dignity and safety. It is crucial for the department to take prompt action for the benefit of public servants and learners alike."
On a more optimistic note, Gwarube has shared that the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative has managed to eradicate over 93% of identified pit toilets in public schools throughout the country.
This significant milestone underscores the collaborative effort between national and provincial education departments, private sector partners, and development allies, all working towards improving sanitation in schools. She has pledged to intensify efforts to ensure completion of remaining projects. It is explained that to oversee this final phase, she plans site visits to the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, two provinces severely affected by the legacy of inadequate sanitation infrastructure.
Saturday Star