Water outages at schools 'major crisis', warns Motshekga
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has warned that schools are bearing the brunt of the ongoing water supply problems especially in Gauteng.
Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, Motshekga said a lack of drinking water and proper sanitation at schools around the country is a recipe for disaster.
The worst affected provinces are flood-hit Western Cape, as well as Gauteng.
Gauteng's three metros have been battling with erratic water supply over the past month.
Taps have been running dry in many areas across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
The Department of Water and Sanitation believes the main cause of water interruptions in the three cities is intermittent power cuts that limit the reservoir pump stations from pumping more water and the low levels of water storage.
Motshekga said while the department is yet to receive an update from the Education Department in Gauteng, the Western Cape has been providing the necessary information.
"Schools can deal with water outages the same way we dealt with Covid. Teachers can send schoolwork to learners at home so that they are kept engaged and there is ongoing communication between them,” said Motshekga.
Motshekga also addressed the issue of power cuts.
She said schools cannot be exempted from load shedding during exam season due to the fact that, unlike other institutions, the buildings are located within communities.
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