PARENTS of pupils at Aurora Primary School in Bapsfontein on the East Rand are searching for new schools.

This is in the wake of the death of seven-year-old Jennifer Manyaka and the admission of 27 other pupils to hospital on April 19 after they allegedly got food poisoning from food served at the school.

Aurora, a private school, is still operating as usual.

The mother of a Grade 1 pupil said she wanted to place her son in another school but was struggling to find him space.

"My child was at home for a whole week, but then I sent him back to school because he cannot stay home and do nothing.

"I am still looking for a new school for him around Daveyton, but it is difficult because it is the middle of the year," she said.

Another parent has managed to find another school for his Grade 6 son and complained that he had to buy new stationery and other necessities.

Gauteng education department spokesman Charles Phahlane said: "In principle, the department is willing to assist parents to find space in public schools. But we will have to assess each request individually.

"We should, however, be mindful that it is not easy mid-term and in the middle of the year to find space in schools," Phahlane said.

"Parents also need to realise that assisting them is dependant on availability of space, and they might not get a school close to where they live."