Picture: for illustration purposes
A tempest of tragedy has shaken Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, Gauteng, following the death of a Grade 3 learner, reportedly due to suspected food poisoning. The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed this distressing incident, highlighting another serious concern about food safety in the vicinity of our schools.
On Friday, two Grade 3 boys started to exhibit signs of distress, complaining of severe stomach cramps in class. They were promptly rushed to the nearby Tshepisong Clinic. Heartbreakingly, despite the medical team's swift response, one of the learners did not make it. His classmate, though traumatised and still under medical shock, is currently stable, having been transferred to Leratong Hospital for further treatment.
Steven Mabona, the spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, revealed that the boys had bought a packet of biscuits from a local spaza shop. This is suspected to be the cause of the dire incident. Naturally, the department will extend vital Psycho-Social Support to the bereaved school community.
Conveying his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased learner, Mabona also wished for a swift recovery for his classmate. He seized this moment to caution School Governing Bodies (SGBs), parents, and the wider community to be cognisant of the food or snacks sold in and around schools. "Where it is suspected that the food or snack may have expired, such information should be reported to the local health or police authorities for necessary action," he added.
While the community navigates this painful loss, the need for vigilant surveillance over food safety has never been clearer.