Pit toilets, literacy now new education minister's mission

The eradication of pit toilets and inappropriate school structures will be among issues dominating proceedings next month when Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube convenes an important meeting with her provincial counterparts.

- Brian Sokutu

In a wide-ranging interview yesterday, Gwarube said she was determined to "restore dignity in South African schools" when meeting education MECs from all nine provinces for the first time.

The Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into the tragic death of three-year-old Unecebo Mboteni, who died on 18 April after falling into a pit toilet in the Eastern Cape's Mdantsane township, and South Africa has an estimated 23 000 pit toilets in public schools.

Other priority issues to be considered at the meeting include:

► An increase in literacy and numeracy levels in public schools;

► The incorporation of early child development in the entire education sector teaching children to read for comprehension from a much earlier age;

► Teacher support through training and career development enabling teachers to be empowered;

► Creating safer schools; and