Cape Town: Following a rise in food poisoning incidents among learners, the Department of Basic Education is collaborating with the Department of Health to create safety guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of organophosphate pesticide exposure in schools. This initiative was announced by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube during a media briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Gwarube emphasized that learner safety is her utmost priority and that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is taking decisive action in response to these recent incidents. The collaboration with the Department of Health aims to ensure that nearby communities and vendors understand the dangers associated with hazardous chemicals, particularly those used for pest control. The guidelines will be finalized as swiftly as possible to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The urgency of this initiative follows a series of tragic events where six Soweto children died after co
nsuming snacks from a local spaza shop. Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that forensic tests found the presence of a highly toxic organophosphate, Terbufos, in the food items. Initial investigations have indicated that these incidents originated from foods purchased outside school premises, contaminated with dangerous pesticides.
Minister Gwarube urged communities, parents, and vendors to exercise extreme caution when handling pesticides, emphasizing the critical need for proper storage and sale practices. She also highlighted her commitment to exploring legal measures to ban these dangerous chemicals from schools, aiming to ensure a safe learning environment for all children.
In a separate but equally pressing issue, Minister Gwarube addressed the distressing incident of the rape of five Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape. The learners from Jongintaba High School were assaulted by armed intruders, prompting the department to prioritize psychosocial support for the victims. Gwarube expressed
deep sadness over the incident and stressed the importance of robust measures to protect learners from gender-based violence both within and outside school environments.
The Minister reaffirmed the DBE’s commitment to providing counseling and trauma care services to support the affected learners in their recovery. She also highlighted the need for urgent action to combat gender-based violence and femicide, ensuring that schools remain safe spaces for learning and growth. The department is working closely with local law enforcement and community stakeholders to ensure justice is served for the victims.