Question NW395 to the Minister of Basic Education
15 March 2024 - NW395
Yabo, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the total number of inappropriate and unsafe ablution facilities and (b) progress has her department made in replacing such inappropriate and unsafe facilities?
Reply:
(a) What is the total number of inappropriate and unsafe ablution facilities?
- In 2018, the Department of Basic Education launched the Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE-2018) initiative.
- This programme initially identified 3 898 schools dependent on basic pit toilets. Additional 809 were identified during the process of monitoring.
- 867 schools did not proceed to implementation, after initial assessment, because they either had appropriate sanitation facilities, OR only needed maintenance; and therefore did not meet the SAFE criteria; OR were on Private land and could not be developed further; OR schools closed due to low learner enrolment.
(b) What progress has her department made in replacing such inappropriate and unsafe facilities?
- 3 379 schools proceeded to implementation, and 3 003 of these schools have been provided with appropriate sanitation.
- DBE plans to complete the balance of the schools in the 2024/25 financial year due to National Treasury budget cuts during 2023/24 financial year.