School cook plots to poison children over salary arrears

A parents’ meeting at Oriyoi primary school in Osukuru Sub County, in Tororo District last Thursday ended prematurely after parents told the administration that the school cook plotted to poison children over none payment of her salary.

According to one sad parent, the school cook had threatened to poison children's porridge if she was not paid her outstanding salary arrears that the school had failed to pay her.

Mr Benard Okumu told the meeting that he got the information from his child who said that their cook reportedly said she is going to be tempted one day to put poison in the porridge if she is not paid her
outstanding salary arrears. The news left some parents weeping.

The parents immediately asked the school to disband the feeding project at school as the school administration goes ahead to investigate on the allegation.

In response, the school head teacher Ms. Anne Rose Akongo said the school was not aware of this life-threatening information adding that the school does not owe the said cook any money.

“It’s in records that the cook was paid all her salary in the past months, but since the issue has come up and it’s life-threatening, we are taking it up. But I request parents to help us with all necessary information to help us pin the suspect,’’ Ms Akongo said, adding that the matter cannot be taken slightly especially at a time when the number of poison cases have been reported in many parts of the district.

Years back, the parents under the Parents Teachers Association came into consensus to contribute food in kind and Shs1,000 to cater for grinding and payment of the cook to prepare midday meals for children.
The sub county LC3 chairperson, Mr John Paul Okanya expressed concern over the threat and advised the administration to take up the matter before things get worse. He directed the school administration to report the matter to police.