Gauteng DA says govt must prioritise child safety as schools reopen
Last year, the government declared food-borne illnesses a national disaster following the deaths of over 20 children.
FILE: A spaza shop. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said that government must prioritise the safety of children and not have a repeat of last year where too many young ones lost their lives.
Last year, the government declared food-borne illnesses a national disaster following the deaths of over 20 children.
Most of these deaths occurred in Gauteng.
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With schools opening on Wednesday, DA Gauteng spokesperson on education, Sergio dos Santos, said it was up to everyone to ensure children were kept safe.
"As we enter the 2025 academic year, we acknowledge the difficulties faced in 2024, a year marked by significant loss of life for far too many of our children.
"We urge MEC Matome Chiloane and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to prioritise the safety and well-being of our learners this year. Past experiences call for us to remain vigilant and fight against any threat to the safety of our learners and teachers.
"We also call upon parents to take a more active role in their children's education. Parents can support learners' academic success by fostering a positive learning environment, teaching children to respect their educators and peers, and collaborating with the school to protect them from criminal activities that jeopardise school safety."