THE first day of the new school term began on a sour note for learners and teachers at Umbilo Secondary School in Wentworth when they were forced to contend with crumbling toilet facilities.

Some learners are reportedly avoiding using the school toilets, choosing instead to wait until they return home due to the unhygienic conditions.

The ongoing situation at the school has forced the school governing body (SGB) to reach out to the public and businesses for assistance.

The school aims to raise R160 000 to fully restore all facilities.

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The school is grappling with a severe shortage of toilet facilities, with only two functioning toilets available for the entire male learner population.

This has raised serious concerns about hygiene, dignity and the overall learning environment.

The donations will help the school to:

• Provide new doors and partitions per stall, restoring learners’ privacy.
• Cover the cost of new plumbing fixtures per bathroom, ensuring proper functionality.
• Help fund the installation of fresh paint, tiles and handwashing stations, promoting health and hygiene.
• Pay for labour costs.

According to a member of the SGB and treasurer Leigh Webster, years of ageing infrastructure and limited maintenance funding have left the school struggling to meet basic needs.

Webster said the situation has been worsened by persistent plumbing problems, which have rendered most of the toilets unusable.

“The number of toilets at the school is insufficient to cater for more than 1000 learners. The SGB, together with the school management, has been raising funds in an effort to secure enough money to renovate the toilet facilities. We have managed to do some work, but it is not enough to complete such an enormous task. In November last year, our chairperson published an appeal on the BackaBuddy website asking for donations. We have reached out to parents, but unfortunately we have not received a positive response,” said Webster.

She added that the KZN Department of Education has been informed of the school’s challenges.

“Engaging the department feels like cracking a very difficult nut as we have never received any positive response. Last year, the school had an enrolment of 1058 learners, all of whom had to rely on the school’s crumbling infrastructure. We have renovated a few toilets ourselves to ensure that learners are still able to use the facilities. At times girls are forced to hold themselves until they get home to relieve themselves,” she said.

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Parents and teachers fear that the lack of adequate sanitation poses health risks to learners and disrupts teaching time, as pupils are often forced to wait long periods to use the facilities.

Some learners reportedly avoid using the toilets altogether, impacting their comfort and concentration in class.

In response, the SGB has reached out to the broader community and businesses, appealing for donations of building materials, plumbing services and financial support to help restore the facilities.

Webster said even small contributions could make a meaningful difference.

“The school belongs to the community. If we work together, we can restore dignity for our children and create a safer, healthier environment for learning,” she said.

Webster hopes that the call for assistance will attract partners willing to invest in the future of its learners and help address the urgent infrastructure challenges.

Attempts to get a comment from spokesperson of KZN Department of Education, Muzi Mahlambi, were unsuccessful at the time of publishing.

Anyone interested to make a donation can follow this BackaBuddy link. 

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