Parents of pupils at Mshingishingini Nazarene Primary School have expressed growing concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities at the school, warning that learners’ health and safety are being placed at serious risk.
According to concerned parents, the school’s toilets have become dilapidated and are no longer adequate to serve the growing number of learners. As a result, some pupils are forced to relieve themselves in the surrounding veld when the toilets are inaccessible or unusable. Parents say this exposes children to unhygienic conditions and increases the risk of diseases associated with poor sanitation.
The situation is reportedly even more worrying for some male learners, who have resorted to using open pits to relieve themselves. Parents fear that apart from the obvious health hazards, the open pits pose a significant safety risk, particularly for younger children who could accidentally fall into them.
To ease the sanitation crisis, the school is currently relying on two mobile toilets borrowed through the school health programme under the Ministry of Health. While the temporary facilities have provided some relief, parents say they are not a permanent solution to the school’s sanitation challenges.
Their concerns have intensified because the borrowed mobile toilets are expected to be returned for use during the upcoming Umhlanga ceremony. Once the units are removed, the school will once again face a severe shortage of functional sanitation facilities, leaving the 340 learners without adequate toilets.
Parents are now appealing to the relevant authorities to urgently intervene by constructing new, safe, and hygienic ablution facilities. They argue that every child has the right to learn in a clean and safe environment, adding that improved sanitation is essential for protecting learners’ health, preserving their dignity, and ensuring uninterrupted learning.
The school’s Headteacher Sabelo Nxumalo said the issue of the toilets dates back to 2023. He said they have been part of the schools that have received assistance from MicroProjects for the construction of new toilets. He said the first phase of the construction of the toilets was done. He said, however, the information they have is that the next phase will need a new contractor and they are still waiting for that.
Nxumalo mentioned that they understand the financial challenges facing government but hope that this will be addressed soon and that MicroProjects will also prioritise their problem.
Meanwhile, Hhohho Regional Education Officer Dr Nkosinathi Nkambule acknowledged the issue of the dilapidated toilets at Mshingishingini Nazarene Primary School. He said the Ministry of Education and Training usually sought assistance from MicroProjects and if the request is accepted, they could directly liaise with each other.
Nkambule said he was not aware that the construction of the toilets was stalled and would seek clarity from the partners involved.
