Fourteen pupils and three teachers at the Rio Claro Vedic School had to be taken to hospital yesterday after falling ill after inhaling pesticide from a nearby farm.
The Ministry of Education was unaware of the incident and said they would investigate. It was unclear how many pupils and teachers were still undergoing treatment late yesterday, but the T&T Guardian was told that some were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital and the Sangre Grande Hospital.
A report stated that the students began complaining of feeling nauseous and by 10.20 am, the school was evacuated.
Health officers from the Rio Claro Health Centre and ambulance responded to the school.
Chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Hazarie Ramdeen said pesticide was being sprayed on crops along the Tabaquite Road, a short distance away from the school.
It is believed strong winds drifted the chemicals to the school.
"What happened is that some villager was spraying pesticide or some chemical to get rid of pest in their vegetable garden. The children inhaled the chemical that came across with the breeze. They began feeling sick so they were rushed to the Rio Claro Health Centre and some were transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital while others were taken to Sangre Grande. We also had to treat three teachers as well," Ramdeen said.
He said given the effects the chemical, he intended to visit the area and inform farmers and gardeners that spraying should only be done at night when school was not in session.