Parents whose children attend Dr AT Moreosele Secondary School in Mabopane, north of Pretoria, say the toilets at the school have been out of order since March last year.

Around 2000 learners, they say, are expected to use toilets with no running water.  

“The toilets are not working, they are filthy and always blocked. There is no privacy as most of them do not have doors. To add salt to injury, children have to bring water from home to drink as taps run dry after the lunch break. When we ask why, the principal tells us the water bill is too high and that water can only be accessed for a limited time,” says Boitumelo Kekana, speaking on behalf of parents and the school governing body (SGB). 

She says it’s not only the toilets, the whole school is filthy, and the space used as a kitchen is not safe to prepare food in.

“That space is too small to be used as a kitchen. Remember, where meals are prepared, everything has to look safe and clean, but not in this case. We have taken steps to make the district aware of the situation at the school but nothing has been done.” 

The importance of basic hygiene 

Professor Sharon Fonn from the School of Public Health at Wits University says basic hygiene is essential for all human beings. She tells Health-e News that many diseases can be spread when there is no running water and toilets are not kept clean.

“Clean and safe toilets help prevent the spread of diseases. It is important that – even in cases where pit latrines are used – there is water available to wash one’s hands after using the toilet.” 

Dr Tumelo Mufhandu, a virologist at the University of North West, warns that when there’s no water for hand-washing after using the toilet, it puts people at risk of “gastrointestinal infections from bacteria, and other types of viruses and parasites (worms) which can cause diarrhoea”. 

Unsafe toilets in township schools 

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta, says there are many unsafe toilets, particularly in township schools. 

“This is a problem and it appears that these schools are reluctant to address it. If you visit some of the schools in the townships, you will realise that toilets meant for the staff are working properly but those used by learners are a mess, especially those meant for boys. We therefore call for such schools to deal with this problem as it poses a health hazard to our learners,” Makaneta says. 

Kekana tells Health-e News that parents believe there’s been mismanagement of funds by the principal, as such there’s no money to pay the water bill or hire people to fix the broken toilets.  The Gauteng Department of Education says it is aware of the allegations of mismanagement of funds levelled against the principal and the matter is being investigated. – Health-e News