A group of South Africans have started a petition against plans by the department of basic education to introduce unisex or gender-neutral toilets in schools.

The petition has been signed by over 60,000 people so far.

"Toilets are private and suggesting that girls and boys share toilets will bring about many social ills," the petition says.

The plan was contained in a leaked report from the department that also contains a proposal on the abolishment of gender-specific pronouns.

One opposition party, The National Freedom Party (NFP), says the government is focusing on the wrong things and should rather focus on improving the country’s education system.

Democratic Alliance, the largest opposition party, said the plan if implemented would allow for education on gender diversity, according to its Western Cape regional spokesperson Lorraine Botha.

The National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) has urged the government to consult teachers and parents before the plan is implemented.