Don’t let the extreme heat interfere with education
WITH the intense heat enveloping the populace, staying cool should not be everyone’s only thought. In schools, students, teachers and staff experience the challenges of the heat waves. How can an effective learning environment be maintained in the face of the astounding heat?
Across the world, schools are facing the harsh reality of climate change-induced heat waves. Almost everywhere, groans of students and staff, such as “It’s too hot” or “Can we turn the A/C (air conditioning) on?” are heard even more as the heat waves become more frequent and intense.
With the rising temperatures, students’ health, well-being and quality of education are put at risk.
To counter the heat, schools need to address the issue. A probable solution is the implementation of Heat Health Warning Systems (HHWS), which are similar to those used in public health initiatives. The systems use meteorological information to forecast periods of extreme heat and provide early warnings to help schools prepare.
HHWS can help teachers prepare and adjust plans when they receive a notification from the schools’ HHWS. For instance, if the teacher changes the activity on the day when the heat wave is expected, and students are supposed to be outside, then the teacher can change the activity and move it to another day.
Aside from implementing HHWS to help teachers prepare, it can also ensure the safety and comfort of students and staff. It can be achieved to help maintain an effective learning environment. Moreover, fewer classes will be interrupted.
But while HHWS can do wonders, it cannot solve all the problems. Sure, it can help prepare teachers, but without the proper infrastructure and materials, it will be for naught. Students will still feel uncomfortable if the temperature in the classroom is too hot.
Proper ventilation, more trees and cool roofs should be invested in.
The government must address and include education in its adaptation strategies since schools play a major role in shaping future generations. In addition, they should ensure that all aspects of climate change are addressed and solved without compromises.
Embracing HHWS can help schools, students and staff to prioritize the safety of students and personnel. Moreover, it can help maintain an effective learning environment in the face of extreme heat to empower students to trude through the obstacles set by the climate.
As the saying goes, “Invest in the future.”