More than 30 years into democracy, thousands of learners in South African schools still face the harsh reality of toilets that don’t flush. This issue is not just about poor infrastructure. It reflects broader inequalities in education, service delivery, and basic human dignity.
Infrastructure Backlogs Continue to Undermine Education
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has made progress through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative. As of 2025, the department reported that 97% of the identified pit latrines had been replaced.
Yet, an estimated 23,000 pit toilets still remain in public schools, according to the DBE. These figures show that the problem is far from resolved.
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Why Flushing Toilets Aren’t Always Feasible
South African Schools Still Have Toilets That Don’t Flush because many are located in rural or peri-urban areas without bulk services. In a parliamentary reply, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube stated:
“Full flush systems are not viable in all schools due to the lack of bulk water and sanitation infrastructure.”
In such areas, schools depend on dry sanitation options like ventilated improved pit (VIP) toilets, enviro loos, or composting toilets. These alternatives are necessary when there is no reliable water supply or municipal sewage connection.
Rural Learners Are the Most Affected
Infrastructure inequality is most visible in provinces like the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal. A 2025 report by Newsday South Africa revealed that fewer than 40% of public schools in South Africa have access to municipal flush toilets.
In Limpopo, only 15.7% of schools have access to municipal waterborne sanitation. The Eastern Cape fares slightly better at 21.8%. These figures highlight the persistent rural-urban divide in school infrastructure.
Delays, Budget Constraints and Poor Oversight
The DBE has cited several reasons for delays in eradicating pit toilets. These include:
- Procurement challenges
- Underperforming contractors
- Adverse weather conditions
- Community disruptions
Some projects were also abandoned by donor partners and had to be reassigned to government agents. Despite R1.6 billion being allocated under the School Infrastructure Backlogs Grant for 2025/26, many provinces return unspent funds to the National Treasury.
“Provincial education departments should not be returning funds while school infrastructure backlogs persist,” said Minister Gwarube.
Health, Safety and Dignity Are at Risk
Unsafe and unhygienic toilets affect more than just sanitation. They impact health, learning, and dignity. In the past, children have died after falling into collapsing pit toilets.
A 2025 report by Breadline Africa stated:
“Across the country, thousands of children still use pit toilets at school. These are not just backlogs; they are safety risks.”
Girls, in particular, are affected when schools lack private, clean facilities. Many skip school during menstruation, losing valuable learning time.
Policy vs. Reality: The Implementation Gap
South Africa has clear infrastructure norms and standards for schools. However, implementation remains inconsistent. While national data shows progress, provincial records often tell a different story.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) warned in a 2021 report that monitoring and enforcement were lacking. Without reliable data and accountability, real progress is hard to measure.
DBE Introduces New Accountability Measures
To improve transparency, the DBE launched the Safe Schools App in partnership with Vodacom. The app allows communities to report unsafe sanitation in schools directly.
Additionally, the DBE is reviewing its school infrastructure regulations. The goal is to strengthen accountability and ensure safe, dignified sanitation for all learners.
A Structural Problem, Not Just a Policy Failure
Ultimately, the reason South African schools still have toilets that don’t flush is systemic. It is rooted in poor infrastructure, unequal resource distribution, and weak implementation.
Until every school has access to basic services like water and sanitation, learners in South Africa will continue to face indignity.
ALSO READ: DBE: Over 93% of Pit Toilets Eradicated in SA Public Schools Under SAFE Initiative
The eradication of unsafe toilets in schools is about more than facilities. It is about equity, justice, and the right to learn in a safe environment. Flushing toilets may not be viable everywhere, but safe sanitation must be non-negotiable.
