Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says improving school infrastructure is essential to raising the quality of education in South Africa.
Gwarube says government must ensure that public funds are used effectively to improve learning conditions and create better opportunities for children.
Speaking at the Cape Town Press Club, she said addressing infrastructure backlogs remains an urgent priority, particularly the problem of unsafe sanitation at schools.
Gwarube says the completion of the SAFE sanitation initiative does not mean the country’s infrastructure challenges have been resolved.
She says provinces have about R16 billion available for infrastructure, which should be prioritised to address outstanding needs at schools.
Gwarube says the government must also focus on strengthening institutions rather than only responding to immediate crises.
She says the infrastructure work must continue despite progress made through the SAFE initiative.
The minister says better use of public resources and stronger institutions are necessary to improve the quality of education and ensure that learners have safe and suitable environments in which to learn.
She has also assured education stakeholders that the government’s work on unsafe sanitation and other infrastructure challenges will continue.
