The school’s director, Pilar Marín, explained on Tuesday during a visit by Education Minister Carmen Susín that two types of fans had been installed, depending on the characteristics of each space. Traditional blade models were fitted in the Primary classrooms, while fans were integrated into the ceilings in the Early Childhood Education classrooms, adapting to the specific features of these facilities.
The school has around 320 students and, with this intervention, has managed to cover all its classrooms. However, two spaces still need to be cooled: the dining hall and the Early Childhood Education psychomotor room. The director explained that both areas present “difficulties” because of the characteristics of their ceilings. In the dining hall, the ceiling is also designed to reduce noise, which prevents fans from being installed under the planned conditions.
For this reason, the school believes that installing air conditioning could be a possible solution for these two areas, although it has had to postpone the work due to a lack of funding. The intention is to resume it in a second phase if the program continues.
A SHADELESS PLAYGROUND
Beyond indoor cooling, CEIP Hermanos Marx has another outstanding need: protecting its playground from the heat. Marín warned that the playground has “practically no shade”, making it difficult to use on the hottest days.
The director noted that the existing trees are many years old and that, year after year, some have been removed without being replaced by new ones. She explained that tree stumps sometimes remain after trees are felled, which can cause pupils to fall, while the lack of ground preparation prevents new trees from being planted.
In response to this situation, the school wants to request that shading for the playground be included among the measures in a second phase of the program, although this falls under the responsibility of Zaragoza City Council. The alternatives it is considering include planting trees, installing awnings, or building a pergola or covered area.
