The DA in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes the commitment made by the Department of Education and Public Works to start with the plan to fix the Umthoqotho High pit toilets in the next two weeks.
This follows the DA’s oversight inspection at the school yesterday, led by the Provincial Leader, Francois Rodgers and DA PR Councillor Lungi Mgaga.
The oversight was triggered by reports that the school was still only using pit toilets, an utterly unacceptable situation for the wellbeing of students.
Our oversight visit revealed shocking conditions that underscore the neglect suffered by the school. The toilet blocks, meant to serve over 1 000 pupils, were found in a shocking state – appalling stench pervading the air, inadequate facilities, including a lack of running water.
See photos here, here and here.
We are deeply troubled by the conditions we’ve found at Umthoqotho High School. The students here deserve to learn in a safe and healthy environment. The current state of the facilities falls far below what is acceptable.
Had it not been for the DA’s oversight, this school’s pressing issues may have gone unnoticed and unaddressed.
We remain committed to ensuring that every student in our province has access to safe, dignified, and hygienic sanitary facilities. This situation should never have been allowed to reach this point, but we are relieved that immediate action has now been promised. We will continue to push for these essential improvements, holding officials accountable until we see a tangible change at Umthoqotho High School.
The DA will continue to provide oversight and support to schools and communities in need across the region, demanding and ensuring that the necessary changes are implemented effectively and swiftly.