1,200 Learners Share Just 12 Toilets at John Noah High

John Noah High school in Mlungisi is in dire need of attention as it struggles to provide basic ablution facilities for its students.

1200 students are forced to use 12 toilets which are not in good condition.

Despite being among the top 3 schools in the province waiting for serious renovations, the institution has been forced to use inadequate resources due to a lack of funding.

According to a community leader Bulelani Qowa, last year the money for renovating schools in the province was redirected to support disaster relief efforts for the Mthatha floods, leaving the school with insufficient funds to carry out much-needed renovations.

“As a result, the students are facing significant challenges, including limited access to functional toilets.

“With over 1,200 students sharing just 12 toilets, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. The school’s six blocks of toilets have been reduced to just one functional block, and even that is not without its problems,” he said.

Qowa said some of the toilets are broken, and the facilities are woefully inadequate for the number of students.

“The parents, and staff are calling for urgent action to address this issue. It’s unacceptable that our children are being forced to use such inadequate facilities,” said Qowa.

He said: “The department needs to take responsibility for providing our schools with the resources they need to function properly.”

He said the situation is not only affecting the students’ health and well-being but also their ability to learn and succeed.

“We urge the department to take immediate action to address the situation and provide the school with the resources it needs to function properly. Until then, the students will continue to suffer the consequences of inadequate facilities,” he said.

Eastern Cape department of education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima did not respond to the questions sent to him by the time of publishing the article.