Heatwaves scorch French schools, forcing early closure and highlighting infrastructure flaws

Parisian teachers are sounding the alarm as a second heatwave this spring grips the French capital, bringing classroom temperatures to unbearable levels and disrupting the school year. Marie, a teacher in Paris, expressed her dismay at experiencing such intense heat during school months, noting that temperatures easily reached 34°C during the previous heatwave.

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After the first heatwave in May, I didn't expect a second one so soon.

"We cannot work at 40°C with children," she stated, highlighting the extreme conditions faced by educators and students. Some schools have classrooms directly exposed to the afternoon sun, making them particularly untenable. The situation is particularly concerning as summer has not yet officially begun, yet Paris and 59 other departments are under an orange heat alert issued by Météo-France.

The early and intense heatwaves are forcing a difficult conversation about the suitability of French school infrastructure for rising global temperatures. While Marie's situation was manageable, she acknowledged that many of her colleagues face far more challenging environments. The concern is not just about comfort but the fundamental ability to conduct effective learning in such extreme heat.

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During the last heat episode, temperatures easily reached 34°C.

This second wave of heat underscores a growing vulnerability in the French education system, which appears ill-equipped to handle the increasingly frequent and severe heat events. The urgency to adapt school buildings and policies to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures is becoming undeniable.

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I know some schools have classrooms exposed to the sun in the afternoon. For them, it is not tenable. We cannot work at 40°C with children.