This was one of the demands heard in the processions of teachers during the strike day of January 13, 2022. The CO2 sensors recommended by the ministry – but put in place by local authorities – are slow to be installed.
Of course, this is not the miracle solution: the CO2 sensor is just an indicator of the level of ventilation in a room. It reminds users of the need to regularly renew the ambient air to reduce the density of viruses in circulation.
In a classroom, it is recommended to ventilate ten minutes every hour. A measure of simple common sense, but which can be difficult to respect on a daily basis… especially in winter! Faced with strong demand from teachers, the CO2 sensor is now… in tune with the times.
The Ministry of National Education has been recommending it for months, but it is up to local authorities to equip the premises for which they are responsible. However, the cost is not negligible, between 100 and 400 euros per device according to the manufacturers. A medium-sized town like Epinal (Vosges) has 144 classrooms in primary schools. A department like Meurthe-et-Moselle manages 63 colleges…
The State has released 20 million euros to help communities to equip themselves, especially rural municipalities. But according to Jean-Michel Blanquer, they are few to ask for help. For lack of information… or for lack of interest. A few days ago, the minister called on elected officials to make an effort, announcing that this fund would be increased if necessary.
But many cities, departments and even regions are dragging their feet, for several reasons. Some elected officials believe that the CO2 sensor is of very limited use compared to its cost. Others believe that, when it comes to public health, it is a prerogative of the State and that it is up to it to take full responsibility for them.
In Lorraine, the good students are the departments of Meurthe-et-Moselle and Meuse. Chaynesse Khirouni, PS president of CD54, announces the order of 150 sensors… which makes three per college! Charge the teachers to make them “turn” in the classes. Budget: 25,000 euros. The department argues that the thirteen most recent colleges (built to HQE standards) are pre-equipped with CO2 sensors in their automated ventilation system. The others will be equipped from mid-January.
The government subsidy is communication!
Jérôme Dumont, president of the CD55
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The Meuse has also just placed an order, after much hesitation: the State only subsidizes up to €50 for devices that cost “€350 each”. The department is not very rich, even if there are only about twenty colleges to be equipped. Jérôme Dumont, its president, does not mince his words: “It’s still up to us to pay for the health of the students… the government subsidy is communication!” He still ordered 40, two per college, including one in priority to the canteen. Local particularity: the sensors will be directly connected… to the Departmental Council, which can, if necessary, put “a wind” to the head of the establishment.
For schools, under municipal supervision, the same announcements in scattered order. Nancy had ordered “one sensor per school” last summer. It seems that we stopped there. Thionville has just ordered 150. Epinal is thinking about it.
In Montigny-lès-Metz, Jean-Luc Bohl has already equipped all of his 70 classes… perhaps to display his voluntarism vis-à-vis neighboring Metz. The city of Metz, in fact, has for the moment decided… to ventilate. Four sensors have been installed: an “experiment”. The school affairs assistant, who already tested the air purifiers last year – without following up – trusts common sense more than technology. It is true that the city manages 500 classrooms.
So, gimmick or not? The CO2 sensor is certainly on the rise, but in local communities, the debate is far from over.
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