Styria Greens urge heat plans for schools

The Greens in Styria are calling for a statewide heat-protection plan for schools and an assessment of the thermal renovation needs of school buildings, ORF reports.

The party renewed its demand as temperatures cool, after classrooms reached 30 degrees Celsius or more in June. The Greens say they will continue pressing the issue following a parliamentary question.

Felix Mühlenfeld, a student at BG Pestalozzi school, said pupils brought fans and hand fans to school last June. While regular classrooms were “still somewhat bearable”, he said an extension building came close to 40 degrees. Staff advised pupils to move to cooler rooms, but there were only three or four such rooms for more than 20 classes.

Green parliamentary group leader Sandra Krautwaschl said children should not have to retreat to a few rooms from April, May or June if they are to learn. She wants the state to identify which schools and kindergartens need the most urgent support, including for measures such as external shading and planting.

The office of state councillor Stefan Hermann of the Freedom Party said protecting children, pupils and education staff from heat was a central task for Styria’s future. The state plans to work with municipalities and operators on technical cooling measures in new and renovated buildings that fall under its responsibility.