Heat wave is coming: This is how schools decide about heat-free in BW!

Heat wave is coming: This is how schools decide about heat-free in BW!

In Baden-Württemberg you can expect hot temperatures these days. Temperatures of up to 39 degrees are expected next week. In view of this extreme heat wave, the question arises: What will happen to lessons in schools? Although the Ministry of Education does not have any legally defined values ​​for “heat-free”, it does provide recommendations that school administrators can follow. But ultimately the decision lies in the hands of the school management, who must take local conditions into account, he informs SWR.

The most important rule is: Heat exemption can be given if it is at least 25 degrees Celsius in the shade at 11 a.m., although this may not happen until after the fourth lesson at the earliest. In addition to the temperatures, the care options, the availability of teachers and the pick-up options for students also play a significant role. This is particularly challenging in rural areas, where students often cannot get home immediately. In order to ensure a uniform approach, it is also recommended that schools in the area coordinate.

Special requirements for temperatures and buildings

The heat-free decision primarily affects primary school students up to fourth grade as well as grades five and six. However, there is no regulation for heat-free for secondary school level II, i.e. from grade 11 onwards, and for vocational students. In many schools, the design of the buildings is also crucial. Older schools without air conditioning have a particularly difficult time dealing with the heat.

In the discussion about necessary changes, the Education and Science Union (GEW) is calling for more modifications to schools to make the heat more bearable. Fans and water dispensers alone are not sufficient - many school buildings are simply not designed for such extreme temperatures. Students and teachers often complain about room temperatures of up to 30 degrees in summer. The GEW hopes for more support from the state and federal government in order to implement urgent measures to improve the technical systems in schools.

Comparison with other federal states

Baden-Württemberg is not alone when it comes to heat-free regulations, but the requirements here are less strict than in some other federal states. While in Lower Saxony even high school students can get heat relief, this is not possible for grades 11 and 12 in Baden-Württemberg. Other federal states, such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, have similar or stricter regulations that also apply to the upper levels, which is below RND can be read.

While the heat wave is already in full swing in Germany and it is becoming particularly oppressive in Baden-Württemberg, it remains to be seen how many schools will resort to heat-free. Ultimately, school management must find a constant balance between the needs of the students and the given conditions, while at the same time parents and teachers should be involved in the decisions SWP.