Still not very popular a few months ago, the CO2 sensors are gradually starting to make their way in Alsatian classrooms. The tool, which measures the amount of CO2 in the air and indicates with a beep when it is time to ventilate the room, is increasingly used in schools, even if several obstacles remain as to its generalization.
An educational tool
The contaminations which do not end and the demand of the teaching staff have pushed more and more town halls to invest in these boxes. Like Haut-Rhin, where several grouped orders have made it possible to equip more than a hundred municipalities. “This is important because it makes it possible to sensitize teachers, children, but also parents to the reflex of ventilating rooms”, enlightens Fabian Jordan, the president of the association of mayors of Haut-Rhin.
In the Bas-Rhin, membership seems a little less marked. But some municipalities are taking the plunge, such as that of Sélestat. In November, it decided to supply the 76 classes in the town with C02 sensors. Total cost of the operation: 5,700 euros.
_ “We first asked the opinion of the teaching staff and today the teachers are delighted”, explains Geneviève Muller-Stein, assistant in charge of education. It is an educational tool: the red light that comes on makes the reflex to ventilate easier for children, who are then tempted to reproduce it at home. ”
This purchase is also an investment in the future, according to her. “We’re not going to get rid of them at the end of the epidemic. There are plenty of other viruses circulating, so they will stay in our classrooms.”
It’s an additional tool, but not an end in itself
On average, the tool would cost 80 euros according to the mayors of the municipalities questioned. After the purchase, it is possible to be reimbursed for part of the amount, up to 50 euros, by requesting aid from the State. Even if it is slow to come according to the mayor of Hœnheim Vincent Debès, one of the first to have supplied himself with C02 sensors. “We ordered in April for an amount of 6000 euros. And we haven’t received anything yet”.
Many municipalities, like that of Illkirch, have chosen not to equip their class with sensors, prioritizing communication with school heads to impose regular ventilation classrooms.
Strasbourg city hall has chosen a gradual deployment. A little less than 500 boxes will be installed next month, primarily in canteens and nap rooms. Not enough, on the other hand to cover all the classes of the 113 schools of the city.
“The sensors are an additional tool, but not an end in itself. Thanks to this deployment, we will observe and analyze its effectiveness. And if it turns out that we need more sensors, we will launch a new call for tenders “, justifies the elected representative in charge of education Hülliya Turan. It also asks the State to take 100% charge of these sensors, as well as all the tools necessary for the implementation of the health protocol in these schools.