Schools to be equipped with air quality monitors

Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece said: “This ministry initiative, in addition to the opportunity provided to local governments to invest in the development of school air-exchange and ventilation systems, is another significant opportunity not only to improve the well-being of pupils and teachers in classrooms, but also to reduce the potential risks of COVID-19 and other viral infections spreading. Even after the COVID period, CO2 monitors will help ensure a safer educational environment for health.”The air quality monitor will indicate when the CO₂ concentration threshold has been reached, which means that the premises need to be ventilated by opening a window or switching on the ventilation system.

More than EUR 3.7 million is planned to be allocated for the purchase of air quality monitoring equipment. Of the total planned funding of EUR 3.7 million, more than EUR 1.9 million will be provided from the state budget funding planned for the implementation of high-readiness projects. This funding has arisen as a balance from local government investment projects to improve ventilation and air-exchange systems in schools, for which the project selection process concluded on 7 June this year. All the necessary funding, taking into account the procurement results, will be provided from the funds of the state budget programme for unforeseen events.

To provide the air quality monitors, the IZM plans to organise a negotiated procedure in order to conclude contracts with suppliers for their delivery to schools by 15 August this year, for delivery in the autumn of the new school year.

Local governments also have access to financial resources for the modernisation of ventilation and air-exchange systems in schools under the state budget loan programme. It is expected that EUR 30.7 million will also be available to local governments under the European Union (EU) Recovery Fund programme. The funding is intended to be invested in 20 regionally significant primary schools, improving the learning environment as part of the restructuring of the secondary school network. The projects to be implemented will also provide an opportunity to improve ventilation and air-exchange systems.Local governments are also continuing to implement the EU funds investment programme for the modernisation of school infrastructure and the learning environment, which also includes the improvement of ventilation and air-exchange systems. Overall, under the EU funds programme, 95 general education institutions in Latvia will have been modernised by the end of 2023, with more than EUR 369 million invested: EUR 137 million from EU funds, EUR 22 million from the state budget and more than EUR 209 million in local government funding.