Pit toilets in schools

Summary

The Limpopo High Court ruled in favor of Section 27, declaring the Education Department's plan to continue using pit toilets in schools unconstitutional. The case stems from the tragic death of Michael Komape, who drowned in a pit toilet in 2014. Section 27 has fought for the eradication of pit toilets since 2012, pushing for safer sanitation in schools. The court has ordered the Department of Education to submit a revised, detailed plan within 90 days, identifying and addressing schools with pit toilets. Despite progress, over 1,600 schools in Limpopo still require sanitation improvements, highlighting the ongoing challenge.

Takeaways

• 😀 The High Court in Limpopo ruled in favor of Section 27, declaring the Department of Education's plan to continue using pit toilets unconstitutional.
• 😀 Judge Herritt Miller's decision followed the tragic drowning of Michael Komape in a pit toilet in 2014, which led to Section 27 taking legal action.
• 😀 Section 27 has been fighting for better school sanitation since 2012, and the 2014 tragedy intensified their advocacy for pit toilet eradication.
• 😀 The court had already ordered the eradication of pit toilets in 2018, but the Department of Education failed to meet the deadline, which led to further legal action.
• 😀 Despite promises, pit toilets are still present in many schools, especially in rural areas like Limpopo, as of 2021.
• 😀 The recent court ruling requires the Department of Education to submit a detailed and comprehensive plan within 90 days to eliminate pit toilets.
• 😀 The education department must audit all schools with pit toilets and identify those that need immediate attention.
• 😀 The revised plan must address both schools with only pit toilets and those with mixed sanitation facilities that still include pit toilets.
• 😀 Around 1,640 schools in Limpopo still face sanitation challenges, with approximately 400 schools having only pit toilets.
• 😀 The ruling highlights the ongoing struggle to provide safe and dignified sanitation for students, a basic human right.
• 😀 This judgment serves as a reminder that no child should suffer the fate of Michael Komape, and the government must be held accountable for unsafe school conditions.

Q & A

What was the ruling made by the High Court in Limpopo regarding pit toilets in schools?

The High Court in Limpopo ruled in favor of Section 27, declaring the Education Department's plan for pit toilets unconstitutional. The court found that the Limpopo Education Department violated a previous order from 2018 regarding the eradication of pit toilets.

What event led to the legal battle regarding pit toilets in schools?

The legal battle began after the tragic death of Michael Komape, a child from the village who drowned in a pit toilet in 2014. Section 27 took up the case on behalf of his mother, Rosina Gombe.

What was the objective of Section 27 in taking the case to court?

Section 27's objective was to have pit toilets eradicated from all schools in Limpopo, ensuring that no other child suffers a similar tragedy as Michael Komape.

What order did the court give in 2018, and how was it reinforced in the recent ruling?

In 2018, the court ordered the eradication of pit toilets from all schools. This order was reinforced in the recent ruling, with the judge outlining specific steps for the Education Department to follow to ensure the eradication of pit toilets.

What steps has the court ordered the Education Department to take in response to the ruling?

The court has ordered the Education Department to submit a detailed and comprehensive plan within 90 days, conducting an audit of all schools with pit toilets, and consolidating ongoing national sanitation projects.

How many schools in Limpopo still have sanitation issues, and how many are affected by pit toilets?

In Limpopo, around 1,640 schools still have sanitation issues. Of these, about 400 schools only have pit toilets, while others have a combination of sanitation systems.

What is the significance of the 2016 deadline set for eradicating pit toilets?

The 2016 deadline was part of the department's norms and standards for school sanitation. The fact that pit toilets are still in use in 2021 highlights the failure to meet this deadline and the ongoing struggle to address sanitation in schools.

Why does Section 27 consider the need for court intervention shameful?

Section 27 finds it shameful that the department had to be taken to court to address this issue, especially given that the Education Department itself had set a deadline for eradicating pit toilets by 2016.

How serious is the problem of pit toilets in schools according to the interview?

The problem is still widespread, with many schools in Limpopo still relying on pit toilets. The scale of the issue is significant, and it’s clear that more needs to be done to address the sanitation crisis.

What other sanitation projects are mentioned as part of the plan to address this issue?

The court mentioned national projects such as the CD Project and the Safe Project, which need to be consolidated to understand the progress and remaining work in eradicating pit toilets.