South Africa’s Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at eradicating pit toilets in schools nationwide. The Safe Schools App, launched in Tshwane on 9 December, is designed to streamline and expedite the government’s efforts to eliminate unsafe sanitation facilities, ensuring a safer environment for students across the country.
Minister Gwarube emphasized that the app is more than just a tool; it represents the government’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in addressing the pit toilet crisis. The app features real-time monitoring through a dynamic heatmap, providing up-to-date information on the progress of sanitation eradication efforts. This allows authorities to prioritize areas in urgent need of attention, ensuring no child is left behind.
In addition to real-time tracking, the app enables crowdsourcing, allowing citizens to report pit toilets that may have been missed in audits or have emerged after the initial assessments. This feature is key to capturing data on previously unreported facilities, ensuring that all areas, especially those in underserved communities, are addressed. Gwarube highlighted the importance of community involvement, noting that various stakeholders, including the Human Rights Commission, have raised concerns about uncaptured facilities.
Looking to the future, the Safe Schools App will expand its functionality to monitor other crucial education programs, such as the National School Nutrition Programme and the distribution of teaching materials. Gwarube expressed confidence that the app would play a vital role in driving systemic improvements and transforming the education sector, starting with safe and dignified sanitation for all learners.
