The Department of Basic Education has announced the completion of all school pit toilet eradication projects identified under its 2018 Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative, marking what it describes as a major milestone in improving safety and dignity for millions of learners.
Speaking during a school sanitation oversight visit to Dimbaza Primary School in the Eastern Cape on Monday, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said all 3 372 schools identified in the 2018 SAFE Initiative audit had now been provided with safe and appropriate sanitation facilities.
The programme was launched following growing public outrage over the deaths of learners, including Michael Komape, Lumka Mkhethwa and Langalam Viki, whose tragic deaths after falling into pit toilets placed school infrastructure under intense national scrutiny.
“The Department of Basic Education has reached 100% completion of all pit toilet eradication projects identified through the 2018 SAFE Initiative audit,” Gwarube said.
According to the department, more than 3 million learners now have access to safer sanitation facilities, while over 48,000 teachers are working in healthier and more dignified environments.
