As the new academic year is set to begin, the perennial air conditioning crisis in public schools reemerges, exacerbated by the sweltering weather. This predicament has persisted for over a decade, causing consistent distress for educators, students, and school administrations alike.
This issue resurfaces annually, plaguing everyone involved. Insiders have confirmed to Al-Jarida that all air conditioning maintenance contracts have been extended and remain in effect.
Consequently, the companies bound by these contracts are accountable for their responsibilities and mandated to uphold device maintenance. The aim is to ensure a smooth start to the academic year on September 10, eliminating the recurrence of this crisis that perennially plagues the educational calendar.
Statistical data indicates that the educational landscape comprises 980 schools spanning kindergarten, primary, intermediate, and secondary levels.
These schools encompass various education categories, including general, special, religious, literacy centers, and adult education. Within these school premises, a staggering 45 thousand individual air conditioning units coexist with approximately 8 thousand central air conditioning systems.
These installations necessitate periodic maintenance and continuous oversight to guarantee their operational efficacy. In addition, there are a handful of recently constructed schools equipped with water-cooled air conditioning systems, further necessitating routine maintenance to ensure their readiness for use.
In a significant intervention in 2015, the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad donated 14,000 separate air conditioning units to address the prevailing air conditioning crisis. Similarly, in 2020, amidst the health crisis and ensuing closure measures prompted by the “Corona” virus outbreak, His Highness directed educational authorities to capitalize on the students’ absence and disrupted attendance. The goal was to address school-related issues, including air conditioner maintenance.
Shifting the focus to the students, government schools are anticipating the return of over 500,000 male and female students across various levels and categories. Their return is scheduled for September 17, with the majority attending the following day.
It is essential that these students and their educators are entitled to a conducive learning environment, including adequately functioning air conditioning systems that can combat stifling heatwaves and humidity. Consequently, the upcoming academic year holds the promise of a distinctive experience, breaking free from the challenges of previous years.
