Question NW3992 to the Minister of Basic Education

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03 December 2015 - NW3992

Profile picture: Grootboom, Mr GA

Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Whether her department complied with the regulations in respect of the provision of sanitation to the Vuma Combined School in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, as stipulated in Annexure G in the Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure contained in the SA Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will her department comply in this regard; if so, (i) what are the conditions of (aa) girls’ (aaa) toilets and (bbb) basins, (bb) boys’ (aaa) urinals and (bbb) basins and (cc) unisex disabled (aaa) toilets and (bbb) basins at the specified school and (ii) will her department ensure that the specified facilities are in a suitable condition to be used by the learners?

Reply:

(a), (b) (i), (aa), (bb), (cc) According to the Mpumalanga Department of Education, the school has a total of forty two (42) toilets seats, serving seven hundred and seven (707) learners. On the basis of that, the sanitation infrastructure at Vuma Combined School does comply with the Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure as contained in the SA Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996. However, it should be noted that, out of the 42 toilet seats provided, twenty two (22) toilets and washbasins are broken and damaged due to theft and vandalism, experienced by the school. Further, plumbing pipes connected to basins and taps are constantly being stolen and vandalised. Twenty (20) toilet seats are in good condition and facilities for disabled learners have been provided.

(b), (ii). The implementation targets are clearly outlined in the National Minimum Uniform Norms and Standard to address all the infrastructure challenges. The Mpumalanga Department of Education has also developed its own implementation plans towards meeting the requirements of the Norms and Standards and their implementation is monitored by the Department on a regular basis. To this effect, the Mpumalanga Department of Education has allocated an amount of R241 million in the current financial year to address basic services and a total of one hundred and seventy eight (178) schools will benefit. An amount of R659 million has been allocated in the 2016/17 financial year to finally address all basic services backlog in the Province.

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