RTL Today – Heatwave protocols: Who decides when Luxembourg classrooms become too hot?

As Luxembourg braced for Wednesday’s heatwave, uncertainty persisted regarding potential school closures, with decisions resting solely at local administrative levels rather than national authorities.

Lex Folscheid, First Advisor at the Ministry of Education, clarified to our colleagues from RTL.lu that nationwide shutdowns only occur when environmental conditions make travel hazardous, citing examples like ice storms or flooding. Heatwaves present a different scenario, he noted, emphasising localised decision-making processes.

Education Ministry not responsible

The Education Ministry confirmed it holds no jurisdiction over school facilities, with primary schools falling under municipal oversight and secondary schools managed by the Ministry of Public Works. When questioned about acceptable classroom temperatures, officials noted they had circulated Health Ministry guidelines to regional administrators earlier this week.

“Local authorities are best positioned to evaluate conditions,” the ministry stated, highlighting variations in building infrastructure across municipalities and schools. This decentralised approach allows tailored responses to individual circumstances.

The Education Ministry maintains that keeping children in schools during extreme heat provides critical advantages, as trained staff can enforce vital health protocols like hydration and sun protection. Officials expressed concern that sending students home often leaves them unsupervised, particularly when parents are unavailable. Without professional oversight, children might neglect safety measures, “potentially leading to situations we don’t want to imagine,” cautioned First Advisor Lex Folscheid.

Public Works Ministry outlines heat mitigation strategies

Confirming the decentralised decision-making process, the Public Works Ministry reiterated that heat-related closures remain at the discretion of local administrators. The ministry emphasised its longstanding commitment to climate-resilient school infrastructure, highlighting three key protective measures implemented over the past two decades.

The first involves sun protection systems to minimise solar heat gain. Secondly, buildings incorporate thermal mass principles using dense construction materials similar to traditional church and farmhouse designs, which slow indoor temperature fluctuations.

Finally, the Public Works Ministry currently employs natural night ventilation through motorised windows, particularly in secondary schools, as its primary cooling method. However, officials acknowledge this approach will become less effective as climate change leads to consecutive nights with elevated temperatures.

To address this challenge, the ministry plans gradual implementation of active mechanical cooling systems. Their effectiveness, officials note, depends on proper building management practices – including timely use of blinds and strategic window operation during cooler morning and evening hours.

While retrofits remain possible for existing structures, the ministry emphasised there is no universal solution. “Each building requires individual assessment to determine optimal modifications,” the ministry stated, confirming the administration’s long-standing awareness of these climate challenges.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to preserving “a pleasant and healthy learning environment even during times of climate change.”

Watch the full report in Luxembourgish