The Bongo District Chief Executive, Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, has raised concern over the sale of syringe-shaped liquid candy to schoolchildren in the district and called for the product to be discouraged within and around schools.
Madam Ayamga raised the concern after encountering the product during her “My First Day at School” monitoring tour of selected basic schools in the district.
The candy is packaged in a plastic container resembling a medical syringe, with a plunger that allows children to push the liquid through the tip for consumption.
According to the DCE, although the product is sold in shops and wholesale outlets, its sale to children within and around school environments should not be encouraged.
She expressed concern that the syringe-shaped packaging could send the wrong message to young children and also raised concerns about the consumption of sugary products by pupils.
Madam Ayamga called on headteachers and teachers to closely monitor the food, snacks and confectioneries sold on school premises and encourage healthier options for pupils.
She also appealed to shop owners around schools to be mindful of the products they sell to children.
Parents and guardians, she said, should pay closer attention to the snacks their children buy and consume and encourage healthier eating habits.
Madam Ayamga made the remarks during the Bongo District Assembly’s participation in the “My First Day at School” initiative, which is aimed at encouraging children to enrol, attend school and begin the new academic year successfully.
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