Limpopo school relies on four pit toilets for 100 learners
Rotshidzwa Maluga, chairperson of the school governing body, said they first requested mobile toilets in 2020, but none were delivered.
LIMPOPO – Teachers and parents of learners at Mabila Primary School in Matavhela Hamabila village are deeply concerned about the safety of learners due to the dilapidated pit toilets still in use at the school. Despite having around 100 learners, the school relies on four unsafe pit toilets.
Mabila Primary School was included in the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (Asidi) implemented by the Mvula Trust.
Although building materials for new sanitation blocks were provided eight years ago, no contractor was appointed because of plans to merge the school with Guyuni Primary School.
Parent Mabila Mishumo said: “The pit toilets are dangerous and might harbour snakes. We worry that our children, especially those in Gr R, might fall inside. We urgently need the Education Department to build proper flushing toilets.”
Rotshidzwa Maluga, chairperson of the school governing body, said they first requested mobile toilets in 2020, but none were delivered. Another request was submitted last month.
“They promised to provide mobile toilets soon and to hire a contractor to demolish the pit toilets. However, we need permanent, proper toilets for our learners, not just temporary mobile toilets.”
On March 31, government committed to replace all pit toilets at schools nationwide, but this has not been fully implemented. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga stated that 3 398 schools still use pit latrines, and the deadline to replace them has been shifted to 2025.
Mosebjane Kgaffe, the department’s acting spokesperson, confirmed that demolitions were underway at Niani east and west circuits, and that Mabila Primary School was included. “Six mobile toilets will be provided to Mabila before the demolitions,” he said.
