Gambia’s education ministry has ordered the closure of a Quranic school after the 57 of its pupils contracted scabies.
The shutdown follows the discovery of scabies after over 100 of its pupils were subjected to medical examination to that effect, said a statement from the ministry on Monday.
Scabies are itchy, parasitic rashes caused by mites buried into the victim’s skin where they lay eggs.
“In light of this serious public health issue, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has taken immediate and decisive actions to immediately close the daara and relocate the students,” the statement indicated.
The ministry said the health ministry in collaboration with the National Coordinators for Madarasa and Majalis Education are investigating the circumstances which attended to the scabies outbreak in the school located in the seaside on of Brufut.
The living conditions ad health of pupils of quranic schools nationwide are also being investigated.
”To prevent future occurrences and ensure the well-being of all students, MoBSE will engage with associations responsible for Madarasa and Majalis Education in The Gambia to develop and implement minimum standards regulations for all basic and secondary education service providers, to ensure full compliance to protect the health and safety of our children,” the statement from the ministry said.
WN/as/APA