Ministry of Education Steps Up Inspections and Safety Measures Amid Food Safety Incidents

The Ministry of Education has instructed local education authorities to intensify inspections of school meals due to renewed public concern over food safety following several troubling incidents. A communication issued on Wednesday indicated that these inspections will review problems identified in the previous semester while outlining plans for the upcoming semester.

Local education bodies are encouraged to utilize the summer break for training sessions targeted at school administrators, principals, safety management personnel, and new head teachers. It is also crucial for canteen managers to receive training to ensure that all significant stakeholders understand the safety protocols required in canteen operations.

Recently, a report revealed that 233 kindergarten students in Tianshui, Gansu province, had elevated levels of lead exposure, leading to the hospitalization of 201 of them for treatment. Preliminary investigations implicated the kindergarten's principal, surnamed Zhu, and its investor, surnamed Li, in allowing kitchen staff to acquire industrial pigments from online sources, which were then used in food preparation after being diluted. Authorities have detained eight individuals, and a task force led by Gansu officials is conducting a more extensive investigation into this matter.

In another case, several students at a school in Hangzhou experienced nosebleeds, raising concerns among parents who believe the incidents could be linked to waste discharge from a nearby factory. In response, a collaborative investigation team comprising environmental protection, health, education officials, experts, parents, and media representatives has been formed to thoroughly assess the health of students and the environmental discharge levels, as announced by the local government.

The Ministry of Education has emphasized the need for local authorities to investigate safety risks in and around schools throughout the summer break. Schools and education authorities are reminded of their responsibility for student safety during this period, urging them to act decisively and implement targeted measures to ensure well-being.

Furthermore, the ministry advises parents to carefully consider their choices regarding summer camps, study tours, and after-school tutoring, promoting a sensible approach to safeguard their children's mental and physical health. Education authorities are also encouraged to collaborate with other local departments to provide day care services, utilizing public facilities like museums and gymnasiums effectively.

Schools are discouraged from holding classes during the summer months and are prohibited from delaying summer vacations or starting the fall semester early. The ministry also insists on limiting homework over the break and has banned the assignment of homework via mobile phones, ensuring that parents do not monitor or check their children's work using these devices.