GDE moves to address toilet shortage at Klopperpark Primary School
The GDE states that the building project, which includes refurbishing the ablution facilities at Klopperpark Primary, is in stage two and ongoing.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) responded to Klopperpark Primary School’s toilet shortage.
The News highlighted the issue in its February 4 edition, titled Toilet shortage sparks outcry at School.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the school has 2 534 learners from Klopperpark, the Elandsfontein surroundings and the mushrooming Mabondeni informal settlement.
Accordingly, the department has provided classrooms for the school for the past 10 years. Additionally, the school received funds to build 14 classrooms, of which four are complete and are in use. The remaining 10 are still being completed.
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Mabona said the school had also received funds to build two more classrooms. The process, now in stage two of the project (inception, concept and design), incorporates refurbishing the ablution facilities.
He explained that the school had been given mobile toilets while waiting for the delivery of flush mobile ablutions to mitigate the challenges. These toilets are suitable for even senior learners to use, while the junior learners are using the existing facilities.
He added that with seven additional working flushing toilets to ease the pressure, the school is monitoring and ensuring the smooth management of these facilities.
“The school was allocated the ring-fenced funding, used to procure PPE and hygienie materials. It is the groundsman’s responsibility to check and refill soap,” Mabona said.
He continued, “We visited the school and discovered that classrooms and toilets were cleaned. Teaching and learning were taking place, and learners received their nutrition as per the National School Nutrition Programme.”
He said that despite identifying a shortage of furniture, the school had received donated items from a neighbouring institution while awaiting delivery of procured furniture.
The school is in the final process of appointing a service provider to service the expired fire extinguishers.
Mabona said the GDE would continue with the self-built classrooms project by providing an additional 20 classrooms in the 2027/28 financial year, which will help eradicate mobile classrooms.
