Spaj Shop Poisoning: What is the Education Department doing to protect children with special needs?

EFF MP Renello Mashabella questioned whether these schools were adequate staff and revived.

As the surface of another child’s report after eating snacks from a spoke shop, the National Education of Basic Education has detailed steps that students are taking students to keep students who are the weakest safe.

The Sweetn On Wednesday, an eight -year -old boy is allegedly “fighting for his life” after eating snacks from a mint.

Last year, at least 22 children died due to eating contaminated foods, in which 890 cases were reported in all provinces between September and November. Many of these were in schools, causing sales to stop in school mints for a time.

For people with special requirements, the risk can be high, government intervention is required.

Recently, when asked about this, the department said that it was working with the provincial health departments to monitor the situation and prevent the spread of food-mass disease.

These include a safety circular, standard operating procedures, educational materials and distribution of health messages.

The 2025 back to school campaign also included health awareness drives.

The department said, “Including health awareness messages in the ministerial announcement of National Senior Certificate Results of 2024” and public broadcasting through television, radio and community platforms is part of this strategy, the department said.

Further efforts include Tuckshop guidelines and review of school readiness monitoring.

There are also food safety workshops aimed at equipping schools with important knowledge.

Also read: Education Department launched Blitz on independent schools amid CWECWE rape case

Reduction in schools with special needs

EFF MP Renello Mashebela questioned whether these schools were adequate staff and revived, which highlight the lack of accessories and learning materials

The department does not take care of direct operation in schools with special requirements, saying that the responsibility is with the provincial departments.

The National Department said, “It is the responsibility of ensuring that all special needs schools be adequately staffed and lie with the respective Provincial Education Departments for 2025 academic year.”

It said that it had purchased Braille and large print resources, but distribution and implementation is a provincial mandate.

“These resources were shared with the provincial education departments for use by their schools. They have also been made available on the National Department website,” it is mentioned.

Also read: Gauteng Education cut relations with Nali ‘Bali after the sexual harassment incident

Financial mismanagement and corruption

The department also referred to concerns about financial mismanagement and corruption in provincial departments in these schools.

“Questions about the adequacy of the budget for the 2025 academic year should be sent to the respective provincial departments,” it has been said.

It states that these departments were responsible for implementing financial control, the national department only provides “oversight and guidance”.

Now read: Gauteng department failed with only 1.3% budget on the repair backlog of the school school

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