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Teacher killed by lab chemicals

by Auxilia Katongomara
18 Mar 2016 at 06:07hrs | Views
A TEACHER died at Mandwandwe High School in Bulawayo's Nkulumane suburb after allegedly inhaling poisonous fumes at the science laboratory. The school has been forced to close its science laboratories following the tragedy on Monday.

The Fire Brigade on February 22 recommended the closure of the laboratory, citing harmful gases whose source could not be established.

The school  faced accusations of not following recommended procedures and standards for chemical storage.

Science teacher Trust Ncube died on Monday after complaining of chest pains and reporting breathing difficulties. The following day, the school announced that the science labs were out of bounds, said a source at the school.

Ncube reportedly fell sick and asked for some days off, complaining of chest pains but the headmaster, Litmus Moyo, refused to grant him sick leave.

"All the science teachers are sick and several pupils have also shown the same symptoms," a teacher said.

Following the Fire Brigade's recommendations in February, the science teachers were given "sub-standard" safety clothes, the teacher claimed.



Source - Chronicle