Even from the early reports of the Sichuan Earthquake, it was obvious that school buildings had suffered disproportionally. Many had been destroyed whilst surrounding buildings had remained intact. The Chinese authorities promised investigations. All this has now changed.
A Chinese teacher has now been sent to a labour camp for a year for “re-education” after posting photographs of schools that collapsed in the Sichuan earthquake on the internet, reports The Guardian newspaper. He is believed to be the third person to be held over criticism of poor building standards.
There is a very true saying that “Earthquakes don’t kill people – buildings do”. The only way to prevent future deaths is to learn from past mistakes. Covering up mistakes / corruption is only condemning to death more people in the future.
