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South Africa

Water tanks for schools a cause for concern

───   KATLEHO MORAPELA 13:45 Mon, 01 Jun 2020

Water tanks for schools a cause for concern | News Article

Altogether 137 schools in the North West province are to be provided with water tanks before schools could reopen.


This is according to the Department of Basic Education. 

Addressing the media on the department’s state of readiness, Minister Angie Motshekga said safety at schools remains a priority and that the opening of schools must adhere to all health and safety protocols. Motshekga confirmed that this week will be used for final preparations after they postponed the phasing in of Grade 12 and Grade 7 learners to June 8. 

Rand Water’s Teboho Joala has meanwhile said a number of schools across the country still need to be assisted with the provision of water and sanitation. He confirmed although progress had been made by provincial departments, those needing assistance are mostly in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West.

He says 87 water tanks have been delivered for schools in the Free State. 47 schools that experienced water challenges in the North West are ready to reopen while 137 still needs to be addressed. 

“In the Eastern Cape the total number of schools we are assisting is 756, in the Free State it is 87, in KwaZulu-Natal 1125, in Limpopo it is 475, in the North West it is 248, and in Mpumalanga it is 435.” 

OFM News previously reported on water challenges in Maluti-A-Phofung in the Free State with the Public Servants Association of South Africa stating that schools in the area are still battling with water supply and that they should not reopen until the department has ensured that there are water tanks.


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