Schools, the list of funds for air conditioning is online: 3,150 euros per school but for the unions it is a "handout"

The department of Viale Trastevere has published the list of beneficiaries of the extraordinary financing of almost 20 million in total. Money put out to tender so that the many schools without air conditioners, 9 out of 10, would be equipped with new systems or at least fans

There are more than 6 thousand, to be precise 6,342, schools that will be able to make use of the funds allocated by the Ministry of Education for the cooling of classrooms. Each receives the same amount, 3,153.57 euros, regardless of size. The department of Viale Trastevere has published the list of beneficiaries of the extraordinary financing of almost 20 million in total. Money put out to tender so that the many schools without air conditioners, 9 out of 10, would be equipped with new systems or at least fans.

For the unions it is a "handout"

Dividing the figure by the average number of classes in each institute, the actual amount drops to a range between 30 and 100 euros per classroom (with a national average estimated at around 40-57 euros per class). A deposit of 70% (equal to 2,207.50 euros) will be paid to the beneficiary schools. The remaining balance will be paid only after verification and validation of the final statement. The unions and the parliamentary opposition have defined the measure as a "handout", pointing out that with a few tens of euros per class it is effectively impossible to purchase and install air conditioners, managing at most to cover the cost of a single floor fan. The timing of the assignment (October) is also disputed, the period in which schools begin to turn on radiators rather than refrigeration systems.

Minister Giuseppe Valditara reiterated that the bulk of the intervention must come from the local authorities, owners of the school buildings. "We are aware of the need to face a new phase in the adaptation of school buildings, which must necessarily also include adaptation to all climatic conditions - he underlined -. It must be said clearly, however, that this objective is primarily the responsibility of the local bodies that own the buildings and that the Ministry can only give a contribution to these bodies for the implementation of these adaptation interventions".