Water Wheel Article

Rural school sanitation – On the path to hope and dignity

Published: 2016

Authors: Sue Matthews

Abstract

School sanitation Rural school sanitation – On the path to hope and dignity According to its presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on 3 May, the Department of Basic Education aims to provide 265 schools with sanitation facilities during the 2016/17 budget cycle, via its Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI). This adds to the more than 400 schools provided with sanitation facilities between the launch of ASIDI in 2011 and the middle of 2015. The effort is commendable, but it’s not going to make a significant difference, given that the Department reported last year that 6 783 of its 23 589 education sites had only the most basic of pit latrines, which are not considered an adequate form of sanitation. And even where new toilets are provided, they may deteriorate to an unsafe and disgusting state in a matter of weeks or months if not managed effectively.