According to President Cyril Ramphosa, five years ago around 3 400 schools did not have adequate sanitation facilities. That number has greatly decreased to 750 schools which still need safe and appropriate sanitation.
The project to eradicate pit latrines from schools is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year. SECTION 27 hopes that the government sticks to their deadline and intends to hold them accountable.
SECTION 27 is an organization that has been focused on the issue of five-year-old Michael Komape who passed away in a pit latrine in Limpopo. However, after the death of the three-year-old learner in the Eastern Cape in March this year where her body was found in a pit latrine, SECTION 27 together with four other civil society organisations wrote to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) requesting a national plan to eradicate pit latrines.
Demichelle Petherbridge, an attorney at SECTION 27, stated that the request for a national plan was made to ensure that progress is made with regard to eradicating the pit latrines. Petherbridge added that the DBE had met with SECTION 27 and other stakeholders, in April.
During the meeting, the DBE discussed their 10-point plan which would fast-track the backlogs of sanitation and school infrastructure. The DBE also stated that they would provide SECTION 27 with a preliminary national plan by August 2023.
SECTION 27 understands that eradicating all pit latrines is an expensive and time-consuming matter. However, it is a social obligation in terms of the DBE’s regulations to provide safe and appropriate sanitation to schools.
The organization requests clear guidance with regard to this project. They would like the department to provide exact numbers of pit toilets at schools in each province, to identify the areas which need the most assistance.
Petherbridge also stated that they would like to be informed about the budget set aside for the project as well as which implementing agents will be in charge of the project activities. As this information will allow them to keep track of the progress made with the project.
