The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has in the last three years build more than 7000 toilets in its Water and Sanitation in Schools Programme. KwaZulu Natal MEC for Education Ina Cronje while opening separate toilet blocks for boys, girls, disabled and staff at a primary school in Umbumbulu said it was dehumanising for learners or educators to have to use unhygienic toilets. The facilities were built at a cost of ZAR 682,490 (EUR 72,057). Her department with the office of the Premier has been training former soldiers to build toilets for schools, in what is called the “Monument of Peace” initiative . Also women and youth contractors were trained to fast track the building project at the school. In 2004, 500 schools in KwaZula Natal had no toilets, or the existing pit latrines had caved in.

Web site: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education

Source: Bathandwa Mbola, BuaNews / allAfrica.com, 21 Feb 2007

Tags: school sanitation