President Ramaphosa calls for urgent action on school sanitation

President Ramaphosa calls for urgent action on school sanitation! President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for sanitation in schools to be prioritized, stressing that the issue should be treated as a matter of life and death.

The president made these remarks in Midrand on Thursday, while delivering the keynote address at the Water Indaba. His speech emphasized the urgent need to ensure that all schools, especially those in rural and underprivileged areas, have access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.

A Long-Standing Crisis

Ramaphosa acknowledged that it has taken far too long to address sanitation issues in schools, even though the lives of children are at risk.

His comments come as the Department of Basic Education (DBE) works against the clock to eradicate pit latrines from schools by the March 31, 2025, deadline.

The lack of proper sanitation facilities in schools has been a serious issue in South Africa for decades. Many schools, particularly in rural provinces like Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga, still rely on dangerous and unhygienic pit toilets.

Over the years, numerous tragedies have highlighted the deadly consequences of inadequate sanitation in schools. Several young children have drowned in pit latrines, sparking outrage and demands for swift government action.

Government’s Commitment to Eradicating Pit Toilets

The Basic Education Department has been under immense pressure to meet its goal of removing all pit latrines from schools by March 31, 2025.

In recent years, the government has launched various initiatives aimed at improving sanitation infrastructure in schools, including:

• The SAFE (Sanitation Appropriate for Education) Initiative, which was launched in 2018 to fast-track the removal of pit toilets.

• Partnerships with the private sector to accelerate the construction of modern toilet facilities in disadvantaged schools.

• Increased funding in the national budget for school sanitation projects.

Despite these efforts, progress has been slow, with thousands of schools still lacking proper sanitation. Many schools continue to use pit toilets, exposing children to health risks and safety hazards.

The Impact of Poor Sanitation on Learners

The lack of safe sanitation in schools has far-reaching consequences for children’s health, education, and dignity.

• Health Risks: Unsafe toilets contribute to the spread of diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, and other infections.

• Safety Concerns: Many pit latrines are poorly constructed, putting children at risk of falling in and suffering fatal injuries.

• School Attendance: The absence of proper toilets discourages school attendance, particularly for female learners who require safe facilities during menstruation.

• Loss of Dignity: Without proper sanitation, learners are forced to relieve themselves in unsanitary and undignified conditions, affecting their self-esteem and confidence.

Call to Action from Ramaphosa

President Ramaphosa has emphasized the urgency of tackling sanitation challenges in schools, saying that every child deserves to learn in an environment that is clean, safe, and conducive to education.

“The lives of children must be saved,” Ramaphosa stated, stressing that the government cannot afford to delay action any longer.

He urged all stakeholders, including government departments, private sector partners, and civil society, to work together to ensure that no child is forced to use an unsafe toilet.

Will the March 31 Deadline Be Met?

With the March 31 deadline fast approaching, there are concerns about whether the Basic Education Department will succeed in removing all pit latrines on time.

While some progress has been made, the scale of the problem remains overwhelming, and many schools are still waiting for upgraded sanitation facilities.

The government’s commitment will be closely monitored, and failure to meet the deadline could result in legal challenges, public protests, and further loss of trust in the education system.

A Step Towards a Better Future

Despite the challenges, Ramaphosa’s call for urgent action signals a renewed focus on solving sanitation problems in South African schools.

Ensuring that all children have access to safe and dignified sanitation is not just a basic human right—it is a fundamental necessity for their health, safety, and education.

The success of this sanitation drive will be a defining moment for South Africa’s education system and a test of the government’s ability to deliver on its promises to the nation’s children.