Heat-free now also for upper grades: Lower Saxony reacts to the heat!

Heat-free now also for upper grades: Lower Saxony reacts to the heat!

The heat isn't just a problem for adults, our students also have to struggle in the summer temperatures. But there is good news for all high schools in Lower Saxony: Heat-free is now also possible for this age group, which significantly improves the general conditions for teaching in hot times, reports NDR.

While the heat-free regulation was previously limited to primary schools and lower secondary schools, high school students can now also benefit from this regulation. In the last few days, numerous schools, including the well-known “Gymnasium in der Wüste” in Osnabrück, have declared heat-free for all grades. On Monday the lessons ended after the sixth hour and on Tuesday they ended after the fourth hour. The school management, represented by Nils Fischer, emphasizes that the rooms were very hot due to the previous hot days.

Regulations for heat-free

In order to grant heat-free, the decision remains in the hands of the school management. There are no set outside temperatures that must trigger such a measure. Before heat-free is issued, schools are also required to take initial cooling measures. This became necessary due to changes in a decree from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture dated June 27, 2025, which presents improved heat protection, as well as on the Lower Saxony education portal is to be read.

Martin Vornberger, who looks at the new conditions with a forward-looking perspective, is pleased that vocational schools are also subject to the new guidelines, although they must first be subject to a hearing. A central aspect is that legal guardians must be informed in advance about possible early endings of lessons. This ensures that children and young people who come to school unexpectedly are also well looked after.

Criticism and outlook

The introduction of this regulation has been received positively by many quarters, but experts and those responsible have also expressed concerns. While the Lower Saxony State Student Council sees this as a good thing, it is criticized that many schools in inner-city locations do not have sufficient heat protection measures. Here in particular, students complain about shortness of breath and difficulty concentrating. Osnabrück has already announced that it will take additional measures to increase protection against heat, as on Heat service is recommended.

Parents and teachers are required to keep a cool head in the future. Recommendations include ventilating school rooms well, organizing break times so that they harmonize with the temperature, and introducing regular drinking breaks. In addition, greater attention should be paid to structural measures for cooling, for example through greening and unsealing schoolyards.

In summary, it can be said: Heat-free for the upper school in Lower Saxony opens up new opportunities to support students even in high temperatures. However, schools still have a duty to ensure an appropriate learning climate. This is an opportunity to take a step in the right direction to protect children and young people from the health consequences of the summer heat.