This time, it was the Berchem-Sainte-Agathe municipal school which was unable to accommodate the students in the heated premises. But this is not an isolated case. In La Louvière, the thermometer showed less than 10°C in several schools for a few days last week. Students at a school in Fleurus also felt cold in the classrooms.
“This happens regularly. In Liège, for a while, for reasons of economy, we did not increase the temperature. Even the students complained”reacts Roland Lahaye, general secretary of CSC-Enseignement.
There is a temperature to respect in class but it depends on the humidity level and the work. A physical education teacher moves more than a primary or secondary school teacher. “A heating failure is a reason to suspend classes”recalls Roland Lahaye.
Old buildings and boilers
Freezing students and teachers are bringing the debate about the state of school buildings back to light. “School buildings are often old… my colleagues found the situation abnormal but did not move. I had to get the union involved and within the hour, the boiler was repaired. But many teachers don’t dare ask for anything for fear of reprisals.”comments Véronique who has already given lessons in 12°C.
-Suspicious, parents slip a microphone into the child’s schoolbag: “When will the spy camera come?”
“We have schools in poor condition and outdated boilers that overconsume. The POs have difficulty paying the bill and some block the valves”confirms the general secretary of CSC-Enseignement.
Good news for the Berchemois concerned, the situation is resolved. “The repairs are made, the school is reopened”announces the alderman.
