The state of health at special schools is once again in the spotlight. This comes after the DA in the North West found that Reoleboge Special School near Rustenburg accommodates over 350 learners with only three toilets for use.
Two toilets are shared among boys and another shared by the girls. According to the DA provincial spokesperson for Education, Tutu Faleni, teachers at the school share toilets with pupils.
Faleni says the situation at the school compromises personal hygiene and more particularly poses health risks for children with special needs.
Faleni says the DA calls on the North West Provincial Government to urgently solve the sanitation crisis at the school. He adds that these conditions came to light during an oversight visit to the Bojanala District last week.
“Learners at Reoleboge Special School – about 358 intellectually disabled school pupils with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities – share three toilets with four teachers. We think the situation infringes on their right to a dignified life” explained Faleni.
The Director in the office of the MEC for Education, George Marinda, says the department is aware of the situation at the school and are currently working on intervention measures. Marindi says the department will soon provide mobile sanitary toilets at the school.
He says toilets at schools are built according to the number of children at each school.
“The department will procure temporary toilets at the school to ease the current situation. We have issued a procurement plan to our suppliers and we will soon provide the school with mobile toilets” said Marindi.
Katleho Morapela/ Courant News
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za
