Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Fundile Gade, has observed with grave concern the recent outbreaks of food poisoning in three education districts due to food items bought outside school premises by learners, leading to hospitalisation.
Reported districts affected by the outbreak include Amathole East, Buffalo City Metro and Chris Hani East.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Mali Mtima, said that the department has since partnered with the Department of Health and affected municipalities to manage these outbreaks, as they are allegedly triggered by snacks (amakretse) and sweets bought by the learners.
He said that this has necessitated Gade to urge parents to stop giving learners pocket money for school, as the food bought from the street vendors and spaza shops seems to be the source of these outbreaks.
This precautionary exercise is temporary, while experts are still investigating the actual cause.
Mtima said that this measure is meant to curb the spread of these outbreaks during this critical time of the learners’ schooling.
Since affected schools also offer School Nutrition Programme (SNP), the department believes this will force everyone to get the food from the schools, as it is regulated by law.
According to Gade, this will also allow all the affected parties to finalise their investigation in earnest.
“We are on high alert for this and appeal to parents to work with the officials to minimise the impact of the outbreak.
He emphasised that although there are dispatched teams, parents need to roll up their sleeves to avoid any harm or hospitalisation of children.
