Rustenburg - The South African Human Rights Commission is set to investigate the living conditions of pupils at the North West Secondary School for the Deaf in Leeudoringstad, following the death of three girls in a fire last month, the commission said on Tuesday.
“In an investigation to be conducted, the Commission seeks 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. The Commission will also investigate whether there is any violation of human rights,” said spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
“The commission has also learnt that the SA Police Service is conducting its own criminal investigation into the cause of the deaths, and the Commission welcomes this investigation.”
Three girls died on August 24 when a fire ripped through the girls’ hostel. More than 50 others were admitted in hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries they suffered when they jumped from the first floor of the building to the ground floor to escape the flames.
Mangena said the commission had received complaints from learners and parents of learners at some of the schools across the country, notably in Limpopo province, where at one school children went on a strike last year demanding among others, safer living conditions in their hostels.
“The commission is also investigating allegations of staff shortages in Meerhof Special School, situated in Brits which falls under the Madibeng local municipality. The Commission has the mandate to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities,” he said.
He added that more needed to be done in guaranteeing that children with disabilities were provided, not only with quality education that was their basic right, but also safe surrounds whilst in school.
ANA