Overview
- As the 2026 school year began this week many schools in Hesse, Frankfurt, Kassel and Lower Saxony reported classroom temperatures around 30°C that hinder concentration and have caused fainting and other heat-related symptoms.
- State education ministries leave heat decisions to individual school principals so there is no uniform 'Hitzefrei' rule and schools must use non-binding guidance to shorten lessons, move classes or change activities when heat interferes with teaching.
- Schools are relying on short-term fixes such as earlier ventilation, exterior blinds, heat-protection window films, teaching outdoors, shortened lessons and occasional mobile air conditioners, with the latter criticized for high energy use and refrigerant risks.
- The GEW union has proposed a statewide heat‑protection traffic‑light system and a building registry to show which rooms need air conditioning, and it is also demanding disclosure of staffing gaps while offering a work‑time app to members.
- Municipalities remain legally responsible for building upgrades but many lack funds, experts estimate nationwide retrofits would cost billions, and unions and student groups are calling for targeted state funding and a central tool to prioritise retrofits.