A leading Irish teachers' union has asked its members to monitor the temperature in their classrooms, it emerged today.
The 11,000-members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) have been asked to check the temperature remains between 17.2 degrees and 26 degrees.
If not, they are to notify the union and ask the school principal to remedy the situation and, if the problem continues, they are instructed to leave the room.
The directive comes in the latest edition of TUI News, the union's newsletter, which states: "In the event of the minimum temperature of 17.2 degrees not being reached at the commencement of classes, members are directed to report the matter to the school representative who should inform the principal of the situation.
"If the heating is not brought up to the standard, or reasonable attempts are not made to remedy any defects in the heating system, members are instructed not to work in any rooms where the minimum temperature level is not achieved."
The directive continues: "In the determination of a maximum temperature, consideration must be given to solar gain and humidity but, in general terms, when the shade temperature exceeds 26C members should proceed on the lines similar to that for the minimum temperatures."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said that all schools in the Republic were required to be built in accordance with "best practice".
If there were difficulties, such as problems affecting heating, the management board should alert the department, which will respond "as quickly as possible", she added.
PA