Speaking to OFM News at the Botlehadi Primary School, she acknowledged inadequate sanitation at schools is still a cause for concern. 

Motshekga said the use of pit toilets is still concerning in a number of provinces including the Free State.

They are, however, making progress. Motshekga says her department is "on track" with the eradication of pit latrines and is certain that they will soon be eradicated.

"We had some delays last year with the programme of pit latrines, because construction had to stop. When we opened, there was a scarcity of materials, so there was some delay but we have picked up momentum and we are able to report some progress".

Motshekga says the eradication of pit latrines was a three-year programme, and they are now recovering the time lost during the hard lockdown.

Her statement comes just a day after OFM News reported that education lobby groups - Equal Education and Section 27 - will be heading back to court on August 6 to compel the Basic Education Department to eradicate pit toilets.

READ: Pit latrines in the spotlight again

The groups maintain the department has not done much to address the plight faced by millions of learners and teachers who are subjected to the use of pit latrines.

Whilst the Education rights organisations will be compelling the department to address the plight faced specifically in the province of Limpopo, the latest Non-Financial Census of Municipalities indicates that the Free State, together with the Northern Cape, North West, and the Eastern Cape, has recorded an increase of pit latrine users in the past year.

OFM News