Rustenburg - The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation into the living conditions of pupils at a North West school for the deaf, following a fire at the school, is nearing completion, the commission said on Friday.
“The investigation by the commission sought to find out, among others, if the fire warning systems at the school were functional and if any school official was on duty at the time of the fire. And also whether there is any violation of human rights,” said spokesman Isaac Mangena.
Three girls died when a fire broke out at the North West Secondary School for the Deaf in Leeudoringstad in August last year.
“The commission has also learnt that the SA Police Service was conducting its own criminal investigation into the cause of the deaths, and the commission welcomes this investigation. The investigation is nearing completion and should be released soon,” he said.
Pupils and parents had expressed concern to the commission about some other schools across the country, notably in Limpopo where children at one school went on strike last year demanding among others, safe living conditions in their hostels.
He said the commission was also investigating allegations of staff shortages in Meerhof Special School at Hartbeespoort Dam near Brits.
“At Meerhof we did not get the co-operation needed, which is really disappointing. As such we are preparing subpoenas to force the department to co-operate with a Chapter 9 institution. If there are staff shortages at this school, imagine what would happen if something like what happened at North West school for the deaf could happen. It would be a tragedy.”
He said the commission had a mandate to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
“The commission believes that there is more that needs to be done across the country in guaranteeing that children with disabilities are provided, not only with quality education that is their basic right, but also safety while in schools.”
The North West education department was not available to comment on the alleged staff shortage at Meerhof.
African News Agency
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