Statement by Kaden Arguile, GOOD National Youth Chairperson:
The deadline has come and gone for the eradication of pit latrines in South African schools. This pledge made by the Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube has failed – just as it did under her predecessor, Angie Motshekga. The promise to eradicate pit latrines remains unfulfilled, with South Africa still stuck at a 96% eradication mark. The remaining 4% underscores that the goal of 100% eradication is an elusive target, especially in the absence of accurate and up-to-date data. In fact, the Minister herself admitted today in Limpopo that, even if the 100% mark is reached, pit toilets will persist.
As GOOD we demand that this goal be taken seriously through a nationwide school audit of pit latrines. Since 2018, no such audit has been carried out. One of the primary obstacles to complete eradication has been the discovery of previously unaccounted-for schools and educational facilities. This has led to the need for additional funding, planning, and time—all of which delay the progress further. The children in these unaccounted facilities are just as deserving of basic dignity and sanitary conditions, yet government oversight has failed them.
In the past seven years the country has endured COVID-19 and implemented various education reforms. The sector will now also need to grapple with the US-AID cutoffs. All these factors, amongst others, shifted our education space both financially and structurally. To assume that every facility has remained the same is simply sticking our heads into the sand while the issue remains.
According to a Ground Up Investigation, in Vhembe, Limpopo, where the Minister visited today, one school still relies on six filthy pit latrines to serve the needs of 900 learners. Until such harsh realities are fully acknowledged by the Department of Education, children in these conditions will continue to have their basic dignity denied. GOOD cannot stand idly by while this injustice persists.
As the goalposts continue to be shifted and small victories are exaggerated, tens of thousands of children are being deprived of their right to basic dignity and educational sanitation. The time for educational justice is now. We must face the reality of this crisis and act accordingly, without delay.
GOOD Support for SMEs: GOOD promotes policies that support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Spunky Comet
Slap chips – French fries [slup-chips] An Afrikaans word meaning limp and describing soft, fat French fries. These are usually mixed with tomato sauce and vinegar.
Murder Cherry
At the end of the school year and a mother asked his son if the exam questions were difficult. And he answers her saying “They weren’t bad at all,” it was the answers that gave me all the trouble.