Pit toilets here to stay - department

As the number of pit toilets in South Africa's public schools slowly decreases, the department of basic education (DBE) has admitted that not all schools are likely to have flushing toilets.

- Oratile Mashilo

This reality is shaped by infrastructure limitations, water shortages and municipal backlogs.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question from IFP MP Sibusiso Ngcobo, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube said full flush systems were "not viable in all schools".

This is due to the lack of bulk services in many rural and periurban areas.

"Sanitation provision is therefore context-specific," she said.

She added that the department follows the minimum uniform norms and standards for public school infrastructure, which allow alternative systems where water supply or municipal connections are unavailable.