MBOMBELA – The Mpumalanga Department of Education has received an allocation of R124 million , augmenting the current budget of R597 million that has been set aside towards sanitation in 430 schools.
The purpose of this additional budget of R124 million is to mainly provide dignified sanitation facilities in 74 schools where there is no proper sanitation. 30 schools from the 74 schools will be receiving acceptable prefabricated mobile toilets facilities as an urgent and immediate response towards school functionality. This programme is envisaged to be completed in 30 September 2020.
The remaining 44 schools will be provided with permanent toilet structures. These 44 schools are currently under planning and designs stage through the DPWRT as the IA and it is envisaged that the construction of these projects will be completed by October 31.
The Department requesting communities to appreciate that this endeavor intends to accelerate the processe to restore the dignity of our learners and teachers as a matter of urgency and therefore, plead that there must be no unnecessary disruptions that may halt progress as anticipated and planned. So far, 790 000 learners returned to schools within the Province including the cohort that returned on August 24.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education is impressed with the attendance of learners and is of the view that the news that there are efforts to improve sanitation infrastructure at our schools will help to encourage all role players to leverage teaching and learning at all times. “Our wish is to prioritise the protection of lives of everyone in our schools and to salvage the academic year. This allocation therefore adds impetus to our quest towards total eradication of pit toilets in our schools. “We welcome the new lease of life as we restore respect and dignity of our learners and teachers. We call upon the cooperation of all our stakeholders as we appreciate the leadership provided in the province thus far. “We are quite convinced that this allocation will not only add to the delivery of quality teaching and learning but also add impetus in our fight against the spread of COVID 19,” said MEC Bonakele Majuba.
