Elementary School Halts Air Conditioning Due to Budget Shortage
Withdraws Decision After Parents Protest
"Classroom Air Conditioners Now Operating as Usual"
An elementary school in Incheon temporarily halted the operation of air conditioners in classrooms on a day when a heatwave advisory was issued, citing "budget shortages" as the reason. However, after a series of protests from parents, the school eventually resumed air conditioner use.
According to the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and other sources on July 8, the school stopped operating air conditioners in all school facilities, including classrooms, for one hour from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the previous day. In addition, after students left for the day, the school halted air conditioning in the staff room, principal's office, and administrative office from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An elementary school in Incheon, where a heatwave advisory was issued, temporarily stopped operating air conditioners in classrooms due to concerns about operating costs but withdrew the decision after a day following protests from parents. This is a stock photo for article reference and is unrelated to the main text. Pixabay
Previously, on July 4, the school had notified parents after an internal meeting that it would reduce air conditioner operating hours due to a lack of funds for school operations. The school explained that this year's operating budget is approximately 640 million won, which is about 57 million won less than last year, and that this reduction was the reason for the decision to stop operating the air conditioners.
However, after only one day of implementation, the school decided to reverse the decision following a flood of protests from parents. A school official stated, "With this year's budget, we anticipated a shortage of heating costs in the winter, so we temporarily stopped the air conditioners." The official added, "Currently, air conditioners in classrooms are operating as usual, and in the staff room and administrative offices, fans will be used instead of air conditioners for certain periods."
Incheon has been under a heatwave advisory since July 2, and the highest temperature the previous day reached 30.5 degrees Celsius. The record-breaking heat has led to a surge in heat-related illnesses. According to the city, a total of 18 cases of heat-related illnesses have been reported in Incheon since May 15. In response to the heatwave warning, the city is maintaining emergency operations and has implemented countermeasures such as operating cooling centers.
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