Relieving themselves a risk for Mapani Primary learners
Learners of Mapani Primary School in Makushu village near Makhado are at risk of contracting diseases or falling into sting dilapidated pit toilets.
LIMPOPO – They are forced to relieve themselves in the bush due to the dilapidated and dangerous state of the toilets.
The ablution block at the school is dilapidated, and the learners claimed it is not safe for use.
The appalling condition at the school has resulted in learners and teachers complaining about short breath and eye problems. They believe this is caused by flies as a result of the latrine problem.
The odour from the toilets forces teachers to close all the windows, making learning difficult for learners as it becomes too hot.
Learners who are uncomfortable with relieving themselves in the nearby bush, have no option but to use dilapidated toilets that do not have doors.
Some learners at the school prefer to use toilets of residents who stay near the school.
A parent who spoke on condition of anonymity told CV the toilet problem puts the safety and lives of the learners at risk.
“The young ones are very curious and might end up falling inside the toilet pit,” the parent said.
“A bushy area within the school grounds is littered with faeces as some pupils choose to squat there for privacy’s sake,” added the parent.
He further added that the department is aware of their plea as they also wrote a letter to them requesting safer toilets.
“During the raining season, toilets get filled with water, which may cause learners to drown.
“It’s also not safe for them to use the bush because they might get bitten by snakes. All we need is an ablution block and classes to accommodate our children. Surely that’s not too much to ask for,” said the parent.
Department of Education Spokesperson, Dr Naledzani Rasila, said they are aware of the situation at the school.
“We have a full report about the situation. Mapani is one of the schools on our priority list for schools that urgently need classes and toilet facilities.
“Our team of experts went to the school to assess the situation,” he said.
“We have indicated that indeed there are some schools where matters of infrastructure are being attended to. We also indicated the challenge of shortage of resources and that we have a priority list to assist us in making sure we assist as per the needs.
“We are following our infrastructure plan. It is surprising that they (DA) visit the schools which are already listed on our district priority lists and claim to have ‘discovered’ such schools.
“This is a real sign of desperation. We know our schools and we have plans for all schools that need attention. We do not depend on the DA to monitor our schools.
“That is why we have increased the number of personnel dealing with infrastructure in our districts, to make sure they keep in touch with our schools.
“The group is handling both building and furniture matters,” he concluded.
The DA, on the other hand, claims that the department has been negligent and should be held accountable for infringing the learners’ constitutional right to dignity and they have filed a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against the department for failing to build adequate facilities and classrooms for the learners.
“The school has more than 400 learners who do not have access to any toilet facilities.
“Some learners risk their lives by using the old toilets in collapsed structures while others relieve themselves in excavated holes,” said Jacques Smalle, the DA Provincial Spokesperson for Education.
He also commented on the number of classrooms and overcrowding at the school.
“With just one class for each grade, the DA has noted overcrowding with some grades having more than 70 learners in a class. Some learners have no chairs and they are forced to sit on the frames of old chairs and desks in overcrowded classrooms.”
“The situation at Mapani Primary School reflects a challenge faced by most schools in the province where a serious lack of desks, chairs and chalkboards are affecting a conducive learning environment,” Smalle said, adding that the department’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the 2017/18 financial year indicates that R166 million has been allocated for maintenance and repair and R550 million for upgrades.
“It is imperative that this school receives the necessary funding as a matter of urgency to ensure basic human dignity to all learners and to establish acceptable learning standards,” he concluded.
