The ministries of Public Health and Education are joining forces to prevent pesticide poisonings in public schools and protect the health of students and staff. This collaborative effort comes in response to a recent surge in pesticide-related illnesses, particularly in the Duarte province, where over 40 cases have been reported.
Led by Health Minister Víctor Atallah, a meeting was held with representatives from the ministries of Education, Agriculture, Environment, and the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) to address the growing concern. The group aims to revitalize a technical committee tasked with developing clear protocols, preventive measures, and specific regulations to curb pesticide-related incidents. Strict penalties will be imposed on those who violate these new guidelines.
A key decision from the meeting includes the implementation of a rigorous permit system for fumigation activities, along with specific timeframes to minimize exposure risks, especially around schools and other populated areas.
Minister Atallah emphasized the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of students and educators. “It is imperative that we work together to protect the health of our students and school staff. This is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of all sectors,” he stated.
Eladio Pérez, the Vice Minister of Collective Health, explained that technical teams from the participating institutions are currently reviewing existing regulations and identifying areas for improvement. “The most important thing is for all sectors to collaborate on preventive measures that protect the health of the public, especially our students,” Pérez noted.
More than 40 students have been poisoned in at least four schools in the province of Duarte over the past few weeks, prompting concerns about the safety of learning environments. Duarte is a major rice- producing province, and what is apparent is the public schools are now located in the vicinity of rice fields.
Since the start of the school year, dozens of students, teachers, and staff have fallen ill after being exposed to pesticides sprayed near educational facilities. The most recent incident occurred at the Hernán José Sánchez High School, where 19 students and two teachers reported symptoms of poisoning.
“It’s outrageous that our schools have become so unsafe,” said Robert Frías, president of the Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) in San Francisco de Macorís. “We demand immediate action to protect our students and teachers.”
The ADP had abandoned classes in San Francisco de Macoris to carry out a street protest on Monday, 27 January 2025 to call for stronger regulations and enforcement of environmental laws. The organization also plans to meet with local authorities to discuss long-term solutions to the ongoing problem. The protest this time called for the shutdown of the public schools until a change in the situation is ensured.
The ministries of Education, Public Health, Agriculture and Environment had reported tackling the issue in the past, but the situations continue to happen. The Presidency reported that the ministries of Education and Public Health are now coordinating actions to present future intoxications.
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Diario Libre
Presidency
28 January 2025