Germany updates: Schools call for measures against heatwaves – DW – 07/01/2025
"There must be uniform occupational health and safety regulations for students and school employees," said Anja Bensinger-Stolze, a board member of the Education and Science Union (GEW), in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) newspapers.
In addition to modernizing schools with green roofs and shade sails, Bensinger-Stolze continued, a "nationwide supply of free drinking water" is necessary for all children, young people, and employees.
Additionally, first aid and safety training on how to deal with heat must be offered across the board, she added.
Gerhard Brand, the head of the Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE), suggested that spaces outside the school should be used more often during hot times of the year "if it fits with the curriculum."
Brand also believes that school authorities have a duty to equip existing school buildings so "learning can be guaranteed even during high outside temperatures."
Due to the ongoing heat wave, German hospitals are requesting additional funding to retrofit clinics.
"Severe heat poses challenges for hospitals and staff. Due to a lack of investment funds, only a few hospitals have air-conditioned rooms, offices, and waiting roosm," said Gerald Gaß, the head of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), in an interview with the newspaper.
"In the long term, we need a climate protection and adaptation program to renovate old buildings," he said, adding that this is the only way clinics can protect patients and staff from the consequences of climate change.
Currently, hospitals rely on measures such as shading facades and cooling packs, Gaß explained.
Europe is currently experiencing an early and extreme heat wave. Temperatures as high as 40 degrees are expected in Germany by the middle of the week.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
, and welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany, from sunny Bonn where we have been feeling the current heatwave that looks set to continue through Tuesday.
Temperatures across Germany are set to rise. According to the German Weather Service, it will peak on Wednesday, with local temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius and widespread temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will receive Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, in Berlin on Tuesday.
The meeting will begin with a reception and military honors at the Federal Chancellery, followed by talks expected to cover foreign and European policy issues, as well as bilateral cooperation.
For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
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Too hot to handle: Is this heat the new normal? – DW – 07/01/2025
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Local Germany
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With temperatures set to reach as high as 40C in parts of Germany this week, the conditions in some schools could become unbearable. When this happens, German schools often declare Hitzefrei (literally 'heat free'), which means that pupils are released to take the rest of the day off due to excessive heat. Alternatively, lessons might simply be shortened. There is no nationwide temperature limit above which "heat-free" days are automatically granted for pupils in Germany. The final decision usually rests with the school administration, but there are some guidelines they have to follow. While the exact rules vary from region to region in Germany, as a general rule it's the heads of individual schools who decide whether to cancel or shorten lessons – not the state or district authorities. Advertisement School administrations are expected to make their decision based on the facilities and amenities available to them. School buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures even in the middle of a heat wave may continue with lessons as usual, whereas classes in buildings that get hot need to be excused much more quickly. READ ALSO: EXPLAINED - Germany's rules for working during heatwaves Broadly, schools will take action when "lessons are impaired by the high temperatures". This is generally when the temperature reaches 25C to 27C or higher in classrooms. Different rules for different ages Primary school children are more likely to be sent home because of excessive temperatures than secondary school children. Pupils at secondary school will rarely be sent home unless there is a clear health risk for the children. When possible secondary school administrations will more often curtail lessons or move students to cooler rooms and give pupils longer breaks instead of calling off an entire day of lessons. Teachers are advised that class tests should be avoided for all age groups on days when the heat is too much. Parents of primary school children are more likely to be affected by Hitzefrei, potentially needing to take time off work if their kids are sent home early. Instead of sending children home, primary school administrations can also choose to relocate lessons to cooler places or take the students on short excursions. READ ALSO: Hitzefrei - Is it ever legally too hot to go to work or school in Germany? Duty of care remains Even when "heat-free" days are granted, schools must ensure that supervision and lunch (if applicable) are provided for younger students, especially if their parents can't leave work immediately or the students are unable to return home for any other reason. Advertisement Not enough teachers? It's no secret that many schools in Germany are struggling to attract enough teachers, meaning that some schools may struggle to find available coverage if too many teachers call out (which can be a problem on hot days). The number of sick days due to heat-related illness is rising steadily in Germany, according to the country's Ministry of Social Affairs. READ ALSO: The official German advice for how to stay safe in a heatwave In 2023, it stood at around 92,700 – a 12 percent increase on the previous high, recorded in 2018. The figures include days of incapacity to work due to heatstroke, sunstroke, and similar diagnoses. Can parents decide to keep their children at home? In a word, no. Germany takes its Schulpflicht (compulsory attendance) very seriously and parents are not entitled to keep their children at home because of hot weather unless the school has decided to close. Of course, exceptions will be made if your child can't attend school in particularly hot or humid conditions because of a health condition, such as circulatory problems. Under these circumstances, the normal rules on absences from school apply. Parents are obliged to inform the school and may be asked to provide a doctor's note.
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10 hours ago
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Germany updates: Schools call for heat wave measures – DW – 07/01/2025
Amid an ongoing historic heat wave, German educators are calling for more to be done to protect students. Hospitals are also demanding protective measures. DW has more.A wildfire broke out in the largest forest in the city of Dresden in Germany's eastern Saxony state. Around one hectar of forest went ablaze, with the fire already largely being under control. 26 firefighter teams are on site and have already managed to reduce to fire to about 8,000 square meters, the local fire brigades told local outlet Tag24. In light of the heat wave in Germany, with expected temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, education trade unions have called for nationwide heat protection regulations in schools. "There must be uniform occupational health and safety regulations for students and school employees," said Anja Bensinger-Stolze, a board member of the Education and Science Union (GEW), in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) newspapers. In addition to modernizing schools with green roofs and shade sails, Bensinger-Stolze continued, a "nationwide supply of free drinking water" is necessary for all children, young people, and employees. Additionally, first aid and safety training on how to deal with heat must be offered across the board, she added. Gerhard Brand, the head of the Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE), suggested that spaces outside the school should be used more often during hot times of the year "if it fits with the curriculum." Brand also believes that school authorities have a duty to equip existing school buildings so "learning can be guaranteed even during high outside temperatures." Due to the ongoing heat wave, German hospitals are requesting additional funding to retrofit clinics. "Severe heat poses challenges for hospitals and staff. Due to a lack of investment funds, only a few hospitals have air-conditioned rooms, offices, and waiting roosm," said Gerald Gaß, the head of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), in an interview with the newspaper. "In the long term, we need a climate protection and adaptation program to renovate old buildings," he said, adding that this is the only way clinics can protect patients and staff from the consequences of climate change. Currently, hospitals rely on measures such as shading facades and cooling packs, Gaß explained. Europe is currently experiencing an early and extreme heat wave. Temperatures as high as 40 degrees are expected in Germany by the middle of the week. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video , and welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany, from sunny Bonn where we have been feeling the current heatwave that looks set to continue through Tuesday. Temperatures across Germany are set to rise. According to the German Weather Service, it will peak on Wednesday, with local temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius and widespread temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will receive Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, in Berlin on Tuesday. The meeting will begin with a reception and military honors at the Federal Chancellery, followed by talks expected to cover foreign and European policy issues, as well as bilateral cooperation. For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
