Home / Education Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
National Survey Ordered After Gas Kills Children
Adjust font size:

China's Ministry of Education has ordered a nationwide survey and overhaul of school heating facilities especially in rural areas to prevent carbon monoxide leaks.

 

Six pupils died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a rural boarding school in Puxian, north China's Shanxi Province, earlier this month. Investigators said fumes leaked into their bedroom from a nearby generator.

 

In a circular to regional educational authorities the ministry ordered a comprehensive inspection and overhaul of heating facilities in schools, especially coal-fired systems in rural schoolhouses, to "eliminate risks and effectively prevent carbon monoxide poisoning".

 

The circular ordered the installation of extractor fans for indoor coal burning facilities and appropriate ventilation systems for school buildings.

 

It said boiler rooms should be relocated away from commonly-used buildings including classrooms and dormitories. If relocation was difficult precautions should be taken to prevent fumes from entering these areas.

 

The circular also ordered the regular airing of school buildings and teaching students about prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

Kang Chengjie, deputy director of the Puxian Education Bureau and Dong Quanlai, a township education official, were sacked following the accident. A boiler maintenance worker, a cook and a teacher had earlier been arrested in connection with the deaths.

 

Puxian county government has offered 200,000 yuan (about US$25,000) in compensation to each family of the victims. It also pledged additional subsidies to a family who lost two children in the accident.

 

The county has named December 4, the date of the accident, School Safety Day.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2006)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read

Related Stories
Dangerous School Buses Jeopardizing Child Safety
Ministry Calls for Safety Inspections of School Buses After Fatal Accident
Elementary Schools Cancel Outdoor Activities
Counseling for Students Injured in NE China Fatal Traffic Accident
Campus: Electric Door Guard Sparks Debate
East China Province to Check Safety in Schools After Trampling Accident
Eight Students Die and Seven Injured in Road Accident
SiteMap | About Us | RSS | Newsletter | Feedback
SEARCH THIS SITE
Copyright © China.org.cn. All Rights Reserved     E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-88828000 京ICP证 040089号