Overheating classrooms - Vallendar struggles to fix the primary school
In the heart of Koblenz, Vallendar Primary School has been grappling with an escalating heat problem, with classroom temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees. Despite repeated attempts, the school and city authorities have yet to secure funding for a comprehensive renovation, which is estimated to cost approximately 5.7 million euros.
The heat issue has been a persistent concern for both students and staff, with lessons after 11:00 AM becoming impossible on the hottest days. The school's classrooms on the east and south sides, particularly affected by the problem, have been described as feeling like a sauna on hot days.
The city council, faced with repeated complaints from parents and teachers, insisted on a temporary solution to be implemented this summer. Seven mobile climate devices will be set up by the end of June, providing cooling in the affected classrooms during the hot months. However, these devices do not offer a long-term solution to the heat problem.
The city does not have the funds for this renovation and has submitted a funding application to the responsible authority. The application, which has taken two years to process, has yet to receive a response after additional documents were submitted. The school authority did not respond to the funding application, adding to the delay.
In the meantime, the window replacement, originally planned for this year, has been delayed until mid-next year. The city plans to replace the dilapidated windows with new triple-glazed windows, at a cost of 1.8 million euros.
The city has explored various avenues for funding, including applying for government grants focused on educational infrastructure or energy efficiency improvements, seeking support from local municipal budgets or regional development funds, and exploring partnerships with private sector sponsors or community fundraising efforts. Submitting detailed project proposals to responsible education or infrastructure authorities outlining the needs, planned interventions, and cost estimates is part of the ongoing process.
The school authority acknowledges the lengthy funding application process for school construction projects and expressed their hope for a swift resolution. The city, in its continuous efforts to improve the situation, has been attempting to secure funding for two years but has not succeeded yet.
For precise, up-to-date information about Vallendar Primary School specifically, interested parties are advised to contact the school administration, local government education department, or relevant funding agencies directly.
The temporary climate devices, while offering relief in the short term, do not address the long-term education-and-self-development issue for the students at Vallendar Primary School, as the school still lacks a comprehensive renovation. The city is actively seeking funds from various sources, such as government grants, local municipal budgets, regional development funds, and partnerships with private sector sponsors or community fundraising efforts, to address the heat problem and ensure a suitable learning environment.
