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)