Welcome to Serbia in 2024, where kids at Belgrade’s Fifth Gymnasium are attending classes without air conditioning, while outside the thermometer hits a scorching 38 degrees Celsius! Yes, you read that right. The classrooms are like ovens, with temperatures soaring above 32 degrees, and ventilation is practically non-existent. Parents have finally had enough and filed complaints with the authorities, demanding an urgent switch to online classes because the conditions are inhumane and dangerous for the children’s health.
Hell in the Classrooms
Imagine sitting in school, trying to learn, while it feels like a sauna around you. No air conditioners, no curtains to block the sun. Students and teachers complain about weakness, dizziness, and other health issues. All this while official regulations clearly state that indoor temperatures should not exceed 28 degrees Celsius. Here, that limit is massively exceeded!
Who’s to Blame for This Mess?
Parents have sent letters to the school, city education inspectorate, school administration, health inspectorate, sanitary inspection, and the ombudsman. All have been called to respond within 24 hours to prevent further health risks to the children. Will anyone actually do something, or will the kids keep baking in these conditions?
Climate Change and the School System – Who Cares?
Lidija Kesar from UNICEF warns that children are increasingly at risk of heat stress and that climate policies must adapt to new realities. But while politicians drag their feet, kids in Belgrade suffer. Isn’t it time for Serbia’s school system to admit the world is changing and adapt? Or will we keep watching kids faint from heat in classrooms?
Heat Records and Even Worse Conditions
At the same time, Serbia has broken temperature records. Leskovac hit a blistering 40 degrees, and Belgrade 38. These temperatures are far from normal for school activities. And while meteorologists promise a cool-down of a few degrees soon, classrooms remain unbearable.
What Do You Think?
Is it normal for kids in the 21st century, in Serbia’s capital, to attend school in conditions that endanger their health? Is this just the tip of the iceberg of problems in our education system? If you have similar experiences or think it’s time for change, drop a comment below and share your thoughts. Maybe together we can raise the temperature—not just in classrooms, but in the minds of those responsible!
Meanwhile, if you thought school was a place to learn, think again – it seems to have turned into a sauna for kids who just want to learn something new, not fight for air.
