Question NW2417 to the Minister of Basic Education
18 September 2018 - NW2417
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)Does her department provide costing guidelines for the construction of school toilets; if not, why not; if so, what is the guideline cost for the construction or installation of (a) enviro loos, (b) ventilated improved pit toilets, (c) flush toilets with septic tanks, (d) flush toilets connected to municipal lines, (e) mobile toilets, (f) chemical toilets and (g) the demolition of plain pit toilets; (2) have any provincial education departments been found to have exceeded the specified cost guidelines; if so, what action was taken by her department to investigate this overspending?
Reply:
1. (a), (b),(c), (d), (e), (f) & (g)
The Department of Basic Education has not developed costing guidelines for the construction of school toilets, however, National Treasury has developed the cost norms for the development of new schools and the upgrading of existing schools and this includes toilets. The cost model is a guide and it is subject to the designs that it is derived from. The cost model remains a guide and the cost of constructing an ablution facility based on the technology selected is largely determined by the market. The Department is in no position to dictate to the market as the cost can be influenced by different factors such as location, topography, scope of work, specifications, technology and mode of implementation, among others. Therefore the market rate remains the determining factor of construction cost for toilets and any other school buildings.
2. Not applicable.