Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube Announces That Pit Toilets To Be Eradicated by April 2025

Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube Announces That Pit Toilets To Be Eradicated by April 2025

  • The minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, revealed that pit toilets will be a thing of the past by next year
  • Gwarube responded to a question in Parliament during a debate about the progress the department is making in ensuring no public school uses the bucket system
  • South Africans took what she said with a grain of salt and did not believe her, with some pointing out that similar promises were made in the past

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, corruption, education, unemployment, service delivery protests and heritage in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

Siviwe Gwarube promised that pit toilets in schools will be no more by April next year
Siviwe Gwarube promised to bring an end to pit toilets in schools. Images: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images and Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE—The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwaruba, promised to eradicate the bucket system in South African public schools by next year.

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Gwarube promises to eradicate pit toilets

According to TimesLIVE, Gwarube spoke in response to a question in Parliament about the progress the department is making in ensuring that pit toilets are a thing of the past. Pit toilets are still a reality for many South African schools.

Since joining the office, Gwarube revealed that she has prioritised sanitation in public school facilities. She said she wants to ensure that pit toilets are gone by the end of this financial year, which concludes in April next year. As it stands, 4,700 pit toilets in South African schools remain.

South Africans do not believe Gwarube

Netizens on Facebook were not entirely convinced that Gwarube would complete the task of getting rid of the unsanitary toilets.

Ras Magosi St Magakwe said:

"That's a story for next year."

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Liyema Nazo said:

"We're tired of talks. We need action, Siviwe."

Richard Deane said:

"That's optimistic. If you've only already had 30 years."

RSA Citizen said:

"Our great and glorious comrade leaders and their kids will never be seen anywhere near a government school. They couldn't care less."

Chris Shabangu said:

"Let's hope she will keep her word. She just reminded me of TM in his term in office."

Siviwe Gwarube to review curriculum

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Gwarube announced plans to review the country's school curriculum.

She said the department will establish a consulting forum to ensure the education curriculum remains relevant and practical.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tebogo Mokwena avatar

Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He has a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON. He joined Daily Sun, where he worked for 4 years covering politics, crime, entertainment, current affairs, policy, governance and art. He was also a sub-editor and journalist for Capricorn Post before joining Vutivi Business News in 2020, where he covered small business news policy and governance, analysis and profiles. He joined Briefly News in 2023. Tebogo passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za

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