The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, and Limpopo MEC for Education Mavhungu Lerule Ramakhanya visited the Vhembe region on Friday to hand over newly built flush-toilet blocks officially at three primary schools.
The three primary schools that received the toilets were Maguada, Lutande, and Mauluma.
Minister Gwarube said that the President's SAVE programme had identified more than 3,000 schools in need of safe toilets by 31 March this year. She explained that this initiative forms part of the department's ongoing efforts to ensure that learners and teachers have access to safe and dignified sanitation in schools.
Gwarube expressed her satisfaction with the progress made so far in ensuring that schools were safe, despite the challenges. She added that her department would continue to clear the backlog of pit toilet constructions.
"And so, we are going to continue. It doesn't stop; it's a moving target, but we're not going to stop until the job is done," she said.
MEC Lerule Ramakhanya stated that the building of pit toilets was a blessing for rural schools and emphasised that they were committed to helping build infrastructure for the schools.