The Andalusian Regional Parliament (Junta) approved a motion that will see school classrooms with aircon powered by renewable energy. The motion was put forward by Adelante Andalucía and was approved unanimously.

In fact, more than aircon the systems will be heat exchangers so that they heat in the winter and cool in the hotter months.

The draft law (Ley de Bioclimatización) will put 26ºC as the ideal temperature all year round – it will be up to the Junta to actually bring this about, of course and they have six years to bring it off.

To begin with they have 18 months to assess each school; its capacity to retain heat or keep it out, depending on its construction – the older the building; the more problematic.

It’s worth reflecting on the fact that this motion was put forward by an opposition party, but every party, even the governing coalition, backed it, despite the point scoring on a national level over how the pandemic is being handled. In fact, this is probably the first time in decades that political parties have put aside their squabbling to put their combined shoulders behind the project.

The draft law is set out in such a way that the Junta can extend credit lines – although no obligation exists – to private schools that are sponsored by a public, voucher system.

Editorial comment: the reason that school summer holidays are so long in Spain (especially Andalucía) is because it is just too hot to sit in a class room.

At the beginning of the 80s junior schools had a school day lasting until about 16.00h during the winter but when late spring approached, the classes began earlier and finished at around 14.00h, which is now how it is on a permanent basis. With aircon, we might just see the old system coming back and shorter summer holidays.

(News: Andalucia)