Parents praise inquiry into kindergarten medications but seek justice and assurances
Investigation of kindergarten medications is welcomed but also raises call for assurances against long-term damage to children's health
Parents of children fed prescription drugs by kindergartens welcomed the government's "blanket inspection" of all nurseries, primary and middle schools on the mainland.
But they said they were more concerned about the long-term effects of the medicine and bringing those responsible to justice.
The order from the Ministry of Education and the National Health and Family Planning Commission came after kindergartens in Shaanxi and Jilin provinces were found to have fed pupils prescription drugs without their parents' knowledge or consent.
"I heard about the government inspection. But no mention was made of the progress of the investigation of the suspects or how officials will take care of the children who've had health issues after taking the pills," said a father whose 21/2-year-old son attended Fanglin Kindergarten in Jilin city for nine months. "These are the two issues we care about most and need answers."
Some parents are taking justice into their own hands.
"The government lacks public trust. What happened to our children reflects a failure of kindergarten regulations," said a mother whose five-year-old son attended Fengyun Kindergarten in Xian for two years.
