KwaZulu-Natal education minister Ina Cronje rushed to Mahlabatini Primary School in the Ulundi district on Friday after hearing that the floor of an old toilet block had caved in while nine boys were inside, her department said.
Departmental spokesperson Christi Naude said the boys, aged between nine and 12, had to be freed from the rubble by an excavating machine, which had been on the premises to dig the foundation for the new school toilets.
”Fortunately they did not suffer major injuries. They were treated for cuts and bruises and referred to the hospital for a thorough disinfecting after the nasty experience,” she said.
Counsellors from the department will help the children deal with the experience.
Cronje was visiting schools in the area, accompanied by the provincial minister of public works, Lydia Johnson, when she heard about the accident.
”We regret that this terrible accident has happened and that our children had to go through this ordeal. We also want to apologise to the parents of the children.
”Unfortunately the poor toilet situation at some of our schools is part of the legacy of the past and we are working around the clock to address these issues across the province,” Cronje said.
The department embarked on a toilet-building programme in 2004.
A total of 7 559 toilets had been built from April 1 2004 to December 31 2006, said Naude. — Sapa