Nearly 30 learners were pricked with syringes at Mooifontein Primary School in Kempton Park on Friday by a grade 4 learner and her two friends.
Gauteng basic education department acting spokesperson Oupa Bodibe said a grade 4 learner allegedly brought syringes to school on Friday. He said she and her two friends allegedly started pricking their friends.
“According to the family of the learner, she used her sister’s bag and only realised when she was in her classroom that there were needles in the bag. The school informed parents of about 28 pricked learners, and advised them to rush their children to medical practitioners for urgent necessary medical attention,” Bodibe said.
He said learners were given ARVs and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) tablets, however, some of these learners did not respond well to the tablets and ended up vomiting, while others had diarrhoea.
ALSO READ: WATCH VIDEO: Hundreds of addicts take first step to kick habit in Tshwane
“The needles belonged to a family member of a grade 4 learner who is using them for hormonal reasons. We can also confirm that the syringes were sent to the laboratory for tests. A process to conduct counselling to all affected learners has commenced and will continue until the reintegration of learners to the school is concluded,” he said.
Bodibe said a disciplinary process against the learners instituted by the school governing body was underway.
“A police case has been opened against the owner of the syringes. This is indeed an unfortunate incident to occur in a schooling environment, we call upon parents to always be cautious on things that might be detrimental to children lives,” Bodibe said.
