A sanitation project by the Gert Sibande TVET College and the Department of Education (DoE) has resulted in a roll-out of 88 toilets to eight farm schools near Ermelo.
The project was funded by the DoE, aimed at tackling problems with pit toilets at farm schools and addressing the shortage of toilets in some schools.
The college appointed a building contractor who, together with the students, built the toilets. All the toilets were fitted with stainless steel fittings including basins, sanitary ware, toilet bases and doors.
Due to water shortages at some of the schools, JoJo tanks were installed at all the school to allow use even when the municipal water supply is disrupted.
Each set of toilets includes a separate toilet for physically disabled learners.
Head of Projects at the college, Mr Thuto Lengolo, said the mandate from the CEO was to build high-quality toilets that would require minimal maintenance. So the walls were built with face bricks.
Ms F.E. Dhlamini, principal of Imisebeyelanga Primary School, said for the past 23 years the school has had two pit toilets for more than 300 learners and that the flushing toilets are a dream come true for the staff and learners.
Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Information Systems, Mr Marthinus Loots, commended the college for the good standard of workmanship and such high quality material.
He also said this was a twofold opportunity, as schools received high quality toilets while the college was able to manage the project and place students for workplace training.
