Despite the success of eradicating over 93% of identified pit toilets in public schools across the country, the Department of Basic Education said that the eradication of pit toilet infrastructure backlog remains a non-negotiable priority.

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced on Tuesday that over 93% identified pit toilets in public schools had been eradicated by the Sanitation Appropriate for Education initiative.

Gwarube was briefing the National Council of Provinces, where she said despite the severe fiscal constraints facing the basic education sector, the department determined to meet the March 31 deadline set by President Cyril Ramaphosa to eradicate unsafe sanitation in schools.

The Department acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by budget constraints, infrastructure backlogs, and rising construction costs, however, said all efforts were being made to ensure that every learner had access to “safe and hygienic school sanitation.”

Gwarube highlighted that the progress made thus far reflected the collaborative efforts of national and provincial education departments, the private sector, and development partners who she said had played a crucial role in fast-tracking the delivery of safer toilets.

Gwarube announced that her department would intensify efforts to ensure full compliance and that she would conduct site visits in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, the two provinces most affected by the legacy of unsafe sanitation infrastructure.

“The Minister’s visits will allow for first-hand monitoring of the final phase of implementation and direct engagement with communities, school leadership, and implementing agents to ensure that all remaining projects are completed as scheduled,” the department said.

The Department said it would continue to provide regular updates on progress, approaching the March 31 deadline and that it remained committed to transparency and accountability in delivering on this critical mandate.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Basic Education Dr Delmaine Christians described this as “tremendous news, and demonstrable progress”.

“It has always been the DA's position, and the DA's fight, that no learner should face the risk of losing their life from dilapidated infrastructure in our schools and instead, that the Minister must achieve progressive realization of safe ablution facilities,” said Christians.

She highlighted that earlier this year Gwarube shared the good news of improved matric results, and with improved infrastructure now being announced too, she said the fruits of the work of a committed Minister undoing years of neglect were being witnessed.

The DA foresees even further improving learning outcomes, by investing in early childhood development, by committing to basics such as reading and numeracy, and by promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, she stated.