Question NW1914 to the Minister of Basic Education
10 December 2024 - NW1914
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, given the numerous reports of fatalities of food poisoning in primary schools on account of snacks being sold around the school premises, her department maintains a database of the (a) total number of such fatalities that have been recorded by schools in each province and (b) steps that it intends to take to mitigate the risk in this regard?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has advised that the details of incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting learners are collected at a school level and then held and managed within the relevant Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).
The DBE has been responsive to the recent incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting learners and has been working to support PEDs in this regard. The PEDs are required to ensure that any potential risks to the safety of food provided to learners at public schools are identified early, with a focus on maintaining a high standard of food quality and safety. I am advised that the majority of these recent incidents are not linked to the National School Nutrition Programme.
As part of its response to the recent incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting learners, the DBE issued a circular as per the directive from President Ramaphosa on 15 November 2024. This circular emphasised the need for PEDs and public schools to implement best practice protocols aimed at preventing and managing foodborne illnesses in schools. These include:
- Strengthening measures to safeguard the National School Nutrition Programme, which feeds 9.7 million learners daily;
- Ensuring food handlers and distributors adhere to strict hygiene protocols; and
- Issuing comprehensive guidance to provinces and schools on food storage and handling.
The DBE has provided clear guidance to PEDs and public schools, including videos and digital posters, to promote these food safety measures and educate all stakeholders about the importance of hygiene and safe food handling in schools.
Furthermore, collaboration with other government departments, such as the Departments of Agriculture and Health, has been crucial to addressing the issue of pesticides and other potential food contaminants that could affect the safety of meals served in schools.
In addition to these measures, the DBE continues to work with PEDs to ensure that these protocols are adhered to and that schools are equipped with the necessary resources to protect the health and safety of learners, particularly those receiving meals through the National School Nutrition Programme.