The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, announced today in Parliament that the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative has made significant progress in eradicating over 93% of identified pit toilets in public schools nationwide.
This achievement is a crucial step towards providing all learners with safe and dignified sanitation facilities. Despite financial challenges, the Department remains committed to meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deadline of eliminating unsafe sanitation in schools by March 31, 2025.
The success of the SAFE initiative is a result of the collaborative efforts of national and provincial education departments, the private sector, and development partners who have worked together to expedite the delivery of safer toilets.
While acknowledging the progress made, Minister Gwarube emphasized the need for continued efforts to ensure full compliance. She plans to conduct site visits in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, the provinces most affected by inadequate sanitation infrastructure, to oversee the final phase of implementation.
Despite challenges such as budget constraints and construction costs, the Department remains steadfast in its commitment to eliminating the pit toilet infrastructure backlog. Every effort is being made to ensure that all learners in South Africa have access to hygienic school sanitation facilities.
Regular updates on progress towards the March 31 deadline will be provided, demonstrating the Department’s dedication to transparency and accountability in fulfilling this important mandate.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Basic Education: Republic of South Africa.
