The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands immediate action to stop the continued use of hazardous asbestos structures in public schools, despite longstanding commitments by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to eradicate these harmful materials.
A recent departmental report reveals that nine years after initial promises were made, 29 schools in Gauteng are built entirely or predominantly from asbestos, posing a serious risk to the health and safety of learners. We are deeply concerned for the health of these learners, and this is a disgrace on the part of the Gauteng government.
The failure to replace these hazardous buildings is a gross neglect of the rights of our children to a safe and conducive learning environment.
The ongoing use of asbestos violates the 2013 Basic Education norms and standards for public infrastructure. These regulations mandated the replacement of schools constructed with inappropriate materials such as mud, wood, metal, or asbestos by 29 November 2016.
It highlights that the GDE lacks a clear strategy for removing asbestos from schools..
The DA demands immediate answers from the GDE regarding:
- A comprehensive timeline for the complete eradication of asbestos structures in all affected schools,
- A detailed plan to overcome the challenges posed by contractor non-performance and community disruptions, and
- Increased accountability and transparency in the handling of these projects, with regular updates to the public and stakeholders.
The safety and well-being of Gauteng’s learners must be a top priority.
The DA will continue to advocate for the replacement of asbestos structures, holding the Department accountable.
The DA remains committed to ensuring that every child in Gauteng has access to quality education in a safe, healthy, and asbestos-free environment.