Over the past few years, the lack of proper ablution facilities in public schools have become a key focus for the Gauteng Department of Education. With the lack of proper toilet facilities, the poor state of school sanitation has affected the learners’ ability to learn, an increase in health risks and infringes on the safety and security of learners.
In Gauteng, some pupils at township schools struggled without access to proper ablution facilities, and in some instances, up to hundreds of pupils were forced to share one toilet.
In January 2013, the death of 5-year old Grade R learner Michael Komape who was found at the bottom of a pit toilet at his school, became a tragic reminder on the urgent need to improve school sanitation across the country.
This is why Tile Africa partnered up with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to revamp school toilet facilities, namely Tholimfundo Primary School in Soweto, Norah’s Educare Centre in Benoni, Phutumani Primary School and Emmangweni Primary School, both in Tembisa. On Wednesday the 7th of February, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held with the GDE to signify the beginning of a new era in “growing tomorrow’s superheroes today”.
