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The DA celebrates news announced today in Parliament's National Council of Provinces by Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, that over 93% of the targeted eradication of schools' pit latrines has been achieved so far across our country.

There remains more to do be done, but we look forward to the Minister’s update in April, with even further progress.

This is tremendous news, and 93% completion so far is demonstrable progress toward all schools being safe for learning, with safe ablution facilities - which is a very real aspiration of the DA, and one that is now coming true.

It has always been the DA position, and the DA's fight, that no learner should face the risk of losing their life from dilapidated infrastructure in our schools and instead, that the Minister must achieve progressive realization of safe ablution facilities.

Earlier this year the Minister shared the good news of improved matric results, and with improved infrastructure now being announced too, we are seeing the fruits of the work of a committed Minister undoing years of neglect.

The DA foresees even further improving learning outcomes, by investing in early childhood development, by committing to basics such as reading and numeracy, and by promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

Issued by Dr Delmaine Christians MP - DA Spokesperson on Basic Education