Heat wave: the drastic measure decided by some schools and reminiscent of another era

March began plunged into a heat wave that has been spreading since February.

The

that also creep into the classrooms, the dress code and the lack of ventilation create a suffocating scenario for the boys.

Is the climatic factor a risk to the health of the educational community?

“The schools in my neighborhood are not teaching.

The boys come out sick from the heat ”, Walter explodes on Twitter.

“You send your children to school and you find out that even the fan in the classroom doesn't work.

SAME is intervening for boys who faint”, Claudia tweets.

Complaints

multiply on social networks.

Many point to the infrastructure: "In winter they go with blankets and in summer they faint from the heat."

”In my son's classroom, who goes to the Commercial College in the Province of Buenos Aires, there were very few.

So far, most

whether to send them or not.

Only one private with a public subsidy suspended the whole week”, Darío tells

.

Given climate change, the anticipation of classes generates new problems that several schools are attending these days.

Faced with this scenario, with unforeseen events that must be managed by the authorities, the Luis A. Huergo Institute decided to implement a

, that is, a virtual context with academic activities.

“We are going to teach virtual classes

.

We are reviewing the classrooms and organizing classes and practices.

On Thursday night, we will analyze the context of Friday.

It will depend on the weather and if we have electricity because there are still power cuts in many neighborhoods,”

Estela Domínguez Halpern, rector of the educational institution, confirms to

Classes start earlier and take place on more summer days.

Photo: Orlando Pelichotti

Because?

“School is the social encounter and this is a matter of health and coexistence.

If it's 32 degrees, in a classroom of 32 students with their teacher,

and intensify it with their bodies.

In such a way that if you spend 80 minutes in the classroom, the weather

.

In fact, several teachers and students felt unwell despite having fans, and we received many inquiries from parents asking for long recesses.

But in a patio with sun, it is impossible”, explains Domínguez Halpern.

learned

, there are several private schools that are doing the same as Huergo.

For example, the American Evangelical Institute and the Argentina Model.

The measure is reminiscent of the

, when face-to-face classes could not be taught due to Covid.

From the Ministry of Education of the City they told this medium that classes

.

Because?

“Education in the City is face-to-face.

The schools are ready.

All classrooms are ventilated with

.

We sent a letter to schools and families with health recommendations for the heat wave.

Also, we are reinforcing hydration with 170,000 bottles of water.

It is expected that the boys can interrupt the class to hydrate and that the gymnastics classes are carried out in cool places and with recreational activities, remaining at the discretion of the authorities of each establishment, ”they explained when asked by this chronicler.

"On our side, we are in permanent communication with the families and with the teaching and non-teaching staff of each of the establishments, evaluating measures to alleviate the impact of the heat in these oppressive days that remain," he reinforced with a thread on Twitter this Monday. in the afternoon, Minister Soledad Acuña, after

's consultation with the spokespersons of the Ministry of Education.

Horacio Rodríguez Larreta at the beginning of classes, on February 27, 2023, together with Minister Soledad Acuña and the Buenos Aires Chief of Staff Felipe Miguel.

ventilation in schools

learned

, in a private Teaching Institute, parents are collecting signatures to raise a request: to install air conditioning equipment in the School.

For personal reasons, they prefer to protect the name of the institution.

"Given this heat wave that we are going through and knowing that there are some facilities without sufficient ventilation, we remember that the Regulation of Educational Institutions of the province of Buenos Aires determines to suspend activities when required by climatic, sanitary,

or other factors that imply risks for students, teaching and non-teaching staff or configure an emergency at the local, district or regional level ”, determines the statement issued by the FUD of San Miguel on March 2.

The father of a teenager, who prefers to remain anonymous, says that many schools in Buenos Aires have ventilation problems.

“There are cases where the cooperatives bought air conditioning, but the Ministry does not always speed up the installation”, he assures.

However, the Ministry of the City explained this problem.

“It must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

There are schools that have air conditioning, others that bought used air conditioning units that

, making their installation impossible.

Edesur is not placing boosters so that the electrical installations in the area can support so many air conditioners turned on at the same time”, they detail when asked by

.

“The fan is not as effective when the temperature is above 35 degrees.

The risk is minimized if there is air conditioning.

In case the fan does not work and there is no air, the boys should be allowed to

.

It is also necessary to encourage the intake of cold water and allow students to wear cool, light clothing, made of light fabrics ”, emphasizes Celeste Celano, head of pediatrics at the Modelo de Caseros Sanatorium.

How to face the heat wave in the classroom?

“Guys are the

.

To face the heat wave, hydration is essential, which must be with water.

We must put aside sodas and sugary juices because this increases the risk of gastroenteritis and diarrhea ”, recommends Celano.

And he adds: “Another important issue is not doing physical activities in the sun or with high impact.

And

, since the incorporation of fruits and/or vegetables for those who can bring food, increases total body water and helps better hydration”.

And what are the warning signs?

Extreme heat can predispose to dehydration.

Boys who suffer from it begin to feel lethargic, tired, unable to pay attention, and may even pass out and pass out.

"The advisable measures should include changing the uniform and cool places to teach as much as possible," concludes Celano.

From the Buenos Aires Ministry of Education they said that the symptoms of heat stroke are red, hot and dry skin;

body temperature between 41 and 42 degrees;

headache, nausea, and confusion;

seizures and loss of consciousness;

weak breathing and pulse.

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