Energy bills see schools pull back on ventilation
A survey by UNISON has revealed that, amid fears over rising energy costs, there has been a significant drop off in good ventilation practices in schools in the absence of government messaging on COVID and other viruses.
The results showed that on CO2 monitoring, only 26% said that their schools was still actively monitoring levels in all classrooms. Nearly 50% (49.7%) of respondents said their schools were no longer actively monitoring CO2 levels in all classrooms.
On ventilation, only 16% of respondents said the school was ensuring good ventilation in all areas, while 38% replied that the school had stopped taking action to ensure good ventilation, and 46% said that their school was ventilating rooms much less than last year.
On the main reason their school was no longer actively monitoring CO2 levels or ensuring good ventilation, 44.6% of respondents stated it was because their school “no longer thought COVID was an issue” and 42% that their “school is worried about energy costs and heating bills (ie more heating is needed when windows are opened)”.
UNISON is concerned that this drop off in ventilation is increasing the risk of illness and absences in schools, with particular concern for immunosuppressed pupils and staff.
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