90% of SA schools in good condition, Gwarube tells MPs
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube told Parliament on Tuesday that 90% of schools in South Africa are in fair to excellent condition, with only 8% rated poor and 2% in a very poor condition.
Briefing the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Gwarube responded to oversight findings that revealed major infrastructure concerns—including deteriorating buildings, container classrooms, and inadequate water and electricity access.
She stressed the need for accurate data to track backlogs and compliance with Infrastructure Norms and Standards.
The minister said over 8,000 schools still need classrooms, estimating the cost at R32 billion.
She also addressed ongoing sanitation issues, acknowledging the department missed its self-imposed 31 March deadline to eliminate all pit latrines.
“It does not mean that there are no pit toilets or that only a 139 of them exist, it says that from the 2018 backlog or the audit that was done, 139 of these projects still exists and I do also want assure members that while we may may have not met out deadline of the previous financial year, we are working day and night to make sure that we will come and report to you once this backlog has be done,” she said.
She added that the pit toilet programme had reached 96% of schools before it was halted due to budget constraints at the end of the financial year.
“13,485 schools require additional toilets to cope with the rising learner numbers, and that would require R14 billion for us to be able to give them additional toilets. Because, while you may have proper toilets at the school. However, you may now have additional learners, so you need to build more in order for you to meet the requirements,” Gwarube added.
The briefing also revealed that more than 500 pit toilets still need to be eradicated.
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