The Division of Fundamental Training issued a press release on 4 April 2025, saying the profitable elimination of 96% of pit bogs discovered within the 2018 audit below the Sanitation Applicable for Training (SAFE) initiative. In 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa established the SAFE initiative to revive the dignity of schooling and enhance faculty sanitation throughout all provinces. Based on Fundamental Training Minister Siviwe Gwarube, “Out of the three 372 colleges with unsafe pit bogs recognized by the federal government in 2018, solely 141 stay so far. There’s a want for protected and dignified sanitation for each learner.”
Ultimate steps towards fulfilment
The minister has made regular progress towards her promise to eradicate all faculty pit bogs in South Africa. In commemoration of World Rest room Day (19 November), Gwarube wrote an opinion piece to The Every day Maverick on 18 November 2024, vowing to shut all pit bogs in colleges by 31 March 2025.
She wrote, “Pit bogs in colleges pose an important danger to the lives of college youngsters. The tragic tales of youngsters dying or struggling in such situations function a reminder that entry to protected sanitation isn’t just a proper, however a matter of life and dying.”
As well as, Gwarube acknowledged that the previous can’t be modified. She dedicated to closing faculty pit bogs and offering protected, dignified sanitation amenities for all college students and lecturers. The minister believes this can be a private precedence and an ethical obligation for the nation. Gwarube emphasised that whereas nationwide progress is critical, provincial efforts have diversified.
Progress by province
The minister highlighted the progress by provinces, noting Western Cape, Gauteng and Northern Cape had no colleges recognized within the 2018 audit, whereas different provinces achieved the next:
100% eradication in Free State, North West and Mpumalanga. 99.74% eradication (390 of 391 colleges accomplished) in Limpopo. 96.4% eradication (1 209 of 1 254 colleges accomplished) in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition to 93.3% eradication (1 343 of 1 439 colleges accomplished) in Japanese Cape province.
Though the preliminary goal was March 2025, the division now goals to finish the ultimate 141 colleges by July 2025. The general public can also be urged to report any remaining pit bogs by way of the Secure Colleges App. Up to now, 166 reviews have already been acquired.
Measures applied to make sure long-term upkeep
The minister additionally emphasised the significance of sustaining newly constructed amenities. She additional famous the enforcement of strict sanitation administration guidelinesand ring-fencing infrastructure upkeep budgets inside Provincial Training Departments. This goals to enhance faculty hygiene by means of elevated oversight by faculty principals, the college governing our bodies, and district officers. The venture stays dedicated to full eradication. Minister Gwarube reiterated the division’s dedication to eradicate unsafe sanitation for all South African youngsters.
Will Gwarube fulfil her promise to eradicate all faculty pit bogs by July 2025?
Tell us by leaving a remark under, or ship a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African web site’s newsletters and observe us on WhatsApp, Fb, X and Bluesky for the newest information.
