Gwarube slammed over claim 90% of schools have improved

Civil society movement Equal Education accused Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube of failing to understand the reality of public schools after she recently said the condition of 90% of them had improved, according to her department's latest infrastructure assessment.

- Umamah Bakharia

Some classrooms have not been renovated since 2008, Equal Education’s spokesperson Ayanda Sishi Wigzell said, adding: “I think the minister needs to visit more schools across the country. The infrastructure many children are exposed to is not safe at all.”

Gwarube told parliament that all mud and asbestos schools had been eradicated, marking what she called a “major milestone in creating safer learning environments”.

But the minister said there was still an infrastructure backlog, requiring about R129 billion, for the eradication of unsafe pit latrines, the replacement of dilapidated structures and provision of essential services such as water and electricity.

“Over 8222 schools still require additional classrooms and meeting that need would cost approximately R32 billion. While we’re working closely with the provinces to find solutions, this remains a critical area of focus,” Gwarube said.