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DocumentClosedcommittee question

(a) What urgent concrete measures has her department taken to address the widespread failure of many schools to provide safe, hygienic and functionally appropriate bathroom facilities for learners with physical disabilities and (b) by what

Parliament of South AfricaRef: NW7263

Official source

Source domain: pmg.org.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 15 July 2026)Official source

What this means

The document is a question asked in the National Assembly to the Minister of Basic Education (NW7263) about urgent concrete measures for disability-accessible school sanitation. It states that DBE has implemented programs like ASIDI and SAFE to replace inappropriate structures and provide universally accessible toilets, and references regulatory requirements for universal design in new builds and upgrades. It notes enhanced oversight via the DBE's 10-point infrastructure strategy and that sanitation provisioning is provincially governed, with provinces responsible for implementation and maintenance.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

school infrastructure programmeOngoing

Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI)

ASIDI is used to replace inappropriate structures and support the provision of appropriate sanitation at schools without functional facilities, including universally accessible toilets for learners with physical disabilities.

Who it is for
public schools needing appropriate sanitation infrastructure, including disability-accessible ablution facilities
How to act on it
Through provincial education departments’ infrastructure delivery programmes under the DBE’s infrastructure approach (ASIDI replaces inappropriate structures and supports sanitation provision).
Show the line this came from
The Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI), which replaced inappropriate structures and supported the provision of appropriate sanitation at schools without functional facilities.
school infrastructure programmeOngoing

Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative

SAFE targets schools dependent on basic pit toilets and provides appropriate sanitation infrastructure, including disability-accessible ablution facilities in line with sector infrastructure standards.

Who it is for
public schools dependent on basic pit toilets needing appropriate sanitation and disability-accessible ablution facilities
How to act on it
Through provincial education departments’ infrastructure delivery programmes, where SAFE projects provide appropriate sanitation infrastructure and include disability-accessible ablution facilities.
Show the line this came from
The Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative, which targets schools that were dependent on basic pit toilets. SAFE projects provide appropriate sanitation infrastructure and include disability-accessible ablution facilities in line with sector infrastructure standards.
regulatory compliance requirementOngoing

Universal design compliance for new builds, upgrades and additions (regulatory requirement)

The Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure require that all new builds, upgrades and additions comply with universal design principles so that learners with disabilities have accessible sanitation.

Who it is for
public schools undergoing new builds, upgrades and additions of infrastructure (including ablution facilities)
How to act on it
Applies when provinces construct or upgrade ablution facilities: provinces must include accessible sanitation when constructing or upgrading ablution facilities.
Show the line this came from
The Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure require that all new builds, upgrades and additions comply with universal design principles to ensure accessibility for learners with disabilities.
oversight and technical support mechanismOngoing

DBE 10-point infrastructure strategy support to provinces for sanitation and universal access

The DBE provides enhanced oversight and implementation support through its infrastructure approach, including a 10-point infrastructure strategy, to strengthen planning, technical support, monitoring and accountability for provincial delivery programmes covering sanitation and universal access requirements.

Who it is for
provincial delivery programmes responsible for sanitation and universal access requirements in public schools
How to act on it
DBE monitors progress through approved provincial infrastructure plans, ongoing reporting and oversight engagements, and provides technical support to strengthen implementation.
Show the line this came from
Enhanced oversight and implementation support through the DBE s infrastructure approach, including the Department s 10-point infrastructure strategy, which strengthens planning, technical support, monitoring and accountability across provincial delivery programmes, including sanitation and universal access requirements.

Facts

Reference

NW7263

Key Takeaways

  • reference: NW7263
  • ministry: Department of Basic Education (DBE)
  • programs: Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI)
  • programs: Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE)
  • standards: Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure
  • principle: universally accessible sanitation / disability-accessible ablution facilities
  • oversight: DBE 10-point infrastructure strategy
  • responsibility: sanitation provision is provincial
  • date: 07 January 2026
  • question asks: (a) urgent concrete measures taken, (b) date by which all public schools meet minimum norms and universal access

Dates

Opening Date

7 January 2026

Closing Date

7 January 2026