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School buildings: Survey reveals poor condition of many classrooms

Too hot in summer, too cold in winter and with broken windows and leaking ceilings – a survey of teachers has revealed the poor condition of many classrooms.
Image: Adobe Stock - Image: Adobe Stock

School leaders have blasted “inadequate” capital investment and “tortuous funding systems” that leave schools forced to “scrabble for cash” via bidding processes.

Survey findings published by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) during its annual conference in Liverpool last week asked 8,585 teachers and school leaders about the condition of the last classroom they had taught in.

A majority (57%) said that poor ventilation left their room too hot in summer, while 28% said inadequate heating meant it was often too cold.

Broken windows and doors were common (19%), while 15% said they had ceilings that leaking and 19% had poor electric fittings affecting plugs, lights and the operation of computers.

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