Education
(1) Whether her Department has any contingency plans to ensure that all schools and learners at schools have access to water if Day Zero occurs; if not, why not; if so; (a) what are the relevant details, (b) how will the distribution of water be executed, (c) what type of oversight will be available during the process and (d) what safety and security measures will be in place;
(2) whether provisions are being made in the event of health risks and vulnerability, for example the spread of diseases and contamination; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether her Department has a plan to assist schools that do not have access to boreholes to prevent them from having to close; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
[1] Yes, the department has a contingency plan to deal with the drought crisis.
[a] The WCED embarked on a number of demand initiatives since 2017. These include the following:
- Installation of water restrictors at 51 Non-Metro and 69 Metro (120) schools;
- Installation with smart water meters at 270 schools;
- Investigating the functionality of 407 boreholes at schools;
- Testing the quality of borehole water at 407 boreholes;
- Pilot project: to reticulate borehole water to the ablution facilities at Phakamisane PS.
The plan was expanded this year [2018] and the principle of the Emergency Drought Intervention Plan is to ensure water security at all schools on and beyond Day Zero.
To achieve this objective, the department is busy ensuring that it attends to hygiene (toilet facilities); fire (prevention) and drinking water for all at school on Day Zero.
Consequently, further interventions have been approved for implementation. These are:
- Procurement and installation of Water Storage Containers/tanks at all schools without water tanks. This will start in the Metro and high risk municipalities; thereafter to all other schools.
- Investigation into the connection of Water Storage Containers and alternative water sources to ablution facilities at all schools;
- Identification of schools in close proximity of the treated water reticulation network and to consider the use of recycled water in ablution facilities;
- Investigating the drilling of further boreholes at schools;
The following sources of non-potable water are being investigated to be used to fill storage facilities, which will allow toilet facilities being used:
- Borehole water
- Treated/recycled water; and
- Sea water
[b] Non-potable water will be trucked to schools and packaged drinking water will be delivered to schools.
[c] Both WCED and DTPW, in consultation with principals at schools, will fulfil oversight on the implementation of the Emergency Plan.
[d] The department is currently engaging on a provincial level on possible measures to ensure safety and security at schools. The approach to be followed will also hold for all government health and social facilities.
[2] Yes, there is close cooperation with the Department of Health and any cases with possible health implications will be immediately reported to the Department of Health. School principals have also been asked to take the necessary cleanliness measures at schools.
The WCED Safer Schools and the Infrastructure Emergency procedures make provision to report and respond to any health emergency that may occur at school.
[3] The purpose of the WCED Emergency Drought Intervention Plan is to ensure that all schools, not just those without boreholes have water security at Day Zero. Refer back to question 1 for detailed plans.
