9 February 2007
KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Ina Cronje said she is deeply disturbed by the
possibility that some children at Alipore Primary School may have been exposed
to hazardous chemicals.
"It is the duty of all manufacturers of hazardous and toxic substances to
ensure that the environment is not polluted and remain safe. This duty of care
becomes even more important when dealing with the lives of children. We will
leave no stone unturned to ascertain the causes of the health problems at the
school and if anybody has been found to be negligent we will take immediate
action."
MEC Cronje works closely with Environmental Affairs MEC Mtholephi
Mthimkhulu, who has given instructions to his department to investigate the
incidents. "The situation is being monitored closely."
On 7 February 36 children complained about pimple-like itches, runny noses
and stomach cramps. A few also complained about respiratory problems. The
school took the children to the Wentworth hospital for examination and soil and
water samples were taken from the school for testing. According to a report
that was released at an urgent stakeholder meeting on 8 February the eThekwini
Municipality's Health Department could not find evidence of contamination in
the tap water or the soil at the school.
On 8 February school principal Shaun Folkard reported that 200 children
complained about similar symptoms. The Department of Education took a decision
to close the school until Monday when more information will be available to
make an informed decision on whether to relocate the children to other
schools.
Work has been done on the school grounds by a chemical factory to redirect
the factory's drainage system. According to Mr Folkard the company gave the
school an undertaking that the work would be done during the school holidays.
However, it has not been completed and will apparently take another five weeks
to finish. The impact of this work is under investigation and the company has
offered to screen all children who reported symptoms.
For further information, please contact:
Christi Naude
Director: Media and Citizen Liaison (Acting)
KwaZulu-Natal Education
Tel: (033) 355 2453
Fax: (033) 342 0275
Cell: 083 262 8829
E-mail: christin@kznedu.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
9 February 2007
