Wiederkehr presents heat protection package for schools: Autonomous measures from warning level two

Since school locations and thus the respective burden vary greatly, schools should be able to autonomously implement measures from heat warning level two, Wiederkehr explained. Specifically, from level two, physical activities such as physical education classes can be suspended, and written performance assessments can be postponed.

Graduated measures depending on warning level

From heat warning level three, parents should be able to keep their school-age children at home if they wish. In addition, shortening of class periods, longer breaks, or an earlier end of school should be possible. From secondary level two, there should additionally be the option to switch to distance learning.

Wiederkehr emphasized at the same time that a complete "heat-free" policy is still not planned. The problem should not be delegated to families, the education minister stated. After all, the spatial conditions at home are often no different from those at school. However, parents should have the assurance that care will be provided in schools when afternoon classes are cancelled.

"A legitimate absence is made possible here when measures are taken at the location," said Wiederkehr. The legal basis for this still needs to be created, but by June 2027 it is to be applied. In the course of this summer, Wiederkehr wants to develop an action plan.

Structural adaptations and financing

Regarding the financing of structural adaptations, Wiederkehr referred to already existing funds: The money for adapting the 50 schools to climate change is included in the over 400 million euros provided annually for the infrastructure of federal schools. This involves, for example, the installation of blinds or the air conditioning of particularly affected rooms; new buildings should also be climate-fit in any case.

If one were to convert all schools, it would cost many billions of euros. Adaptation can therefore only be carried out gradually, the minister said. An initial agreement on further measures could be reached at the meeting of the state education representatives in autumn.

Scientific context: Climate change as the cause

The cause of the record temperatures lies in climate change, stated GeoSphere Director General Andreas Schaffhauser. Hot days and tropical nights will only become more frequent in the future. "If the warming continues like this, then by the end of this century there will be temperatures that are five degrees higher than what we know."

From a scientific perspective, it is therefore important to achieve net-zero emissions in order to limit the temperature rise, Schaffhauser said. Especially in June and July, there are more hot days; in August and September, this is not the case, since the nights are already longer by then.

A possible earlier start to summer holidays was also discussed. If the holidays were moved forward by two weeks, there would be on average 1.3 fewer hot days during school time in the state capitals. This would bring a small but measurable relief, Schaffhauser explained. However, an earlier start would only make sense if it happens in all federal states, Wiederkehr said.

Criticism from opposition and interest groups

Deputy parliamentary group leader Sigrid Maurer reacted with sharp criticism to the package presented. A timeline and a guarantee that the measures will be implemented are needed, the Green politician emphasized in a press release. She also criticized the fact that structural measures are only planned for 50 federal schools and that no additional money is provided for this.

Greenpeace also demanded budget and resources to protect schools. Greenpeace climate expert Marc Dengler advocated for renovations, external shading, and modern ventilation systems. The Austrian Trade Union Youth (ÖGJ) insisted in a release that apprentices must not be forgotten. Heat protection measures must therefore also apply in vocational schools.

The private kindergarten operator "Kinder in Wien" in turn demanded that kindergartens and after-school care centers be considered as well. This identifies a gap in the system, since the planned measures primarily apply to schools.

Outlook: Action plan and next steps

Overall, the summit demonstrates the urgency with which the federal government is addressing the issue of heat protection at educational institutions. The coming months until June 2027 are now considered a crucial phase in order to translate the announced measures into binding regulations and implement the first structural adaptations at the 50 pilot locations.

In parallel, further discussions on a possible earlier start to summer holidays and on the inclusion of other educational and care facilities are expected. At the meeting of the state education representatives in autumn, an initial agreement could be reached.

International comparisons also show that heat protection in schools is increasingly being treated as an independent policy field. Austria's developments could thus become part of a broader European trend toward systematically adapting educational infrastructure to climate change.