- State school board calls for heat-free concept
In light of the summery weather, the state school council (LSR) is demanding a concept for dealing with heat in classrooms. "It's getting warm again and many old school buildings heat up very quickly," said LSR chairman Matteo Feind to the German Press Agency in Hannover. High temperatures significantly impair concentration, making productive teaching almost impossible, the 19-year-old criticized.
This demand is not new: last year, the LSR had already called for better rules on hot days. However, nothing has changed. Now, according to Feind, clear rules are finally needed. After all, Lower Saxony allows leeway in this regard: school principals can grant heat leave if high temperatures impair teaching and "other forms of teaching organization do not appear sensible," the Ministry of Culture explains.
The LSR finds this insufficient. There should be a maximum temperature in classrooms at which heat leave is mandatory. Moreover, teaching in the upper grades continues - regardless of the temperature. "This must change," said Feind.
New school year: The biggest problem is teacher shortage
As LSR chairman, Feind represents around one million students in Lower Saxony. Looking ahead to the new school year starting on Monday, he sees the biggest problem as the teacher shortage. "Especially at schools with many students leaving without a diploma, more pedagogical staff should be deployed."
The teaching supply in Lower Saxony has been a contentious issue for years. The latest value was 96.9 percent, showing a slight increase. Depending on the school type, the value is higher or lower. As of August 2023, the teaching supply at grammar schools was almost 100 percent, while at special schools it was only 91.6 percent.
The LSR chair, Matteo Feind, believes that The Hanover's schools need stricter rules for heat waves, as demonstrated by their demand for a maximum classroom temperature at which heat leave becomes mandatory. Despite facing a significant teacher shortage in the upcoming school year, Feind thinks it's crucial to address the issue of classroom heat during lessons as well.
