Puerto Rico Schools Heat Wave Crisis

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Culebra, Puerto Rico – When temperatures soar at a public school, students seek relief.During a summer program, a rising third grader ⁣sat beside a bush for shade, a ninth grader went to the library, adn an eighth grader went to the⁣ director’s office⁢ where an air conditioner offered limited relief. the school ‍has ceiling fans, but they don’t operate at full strength, and other cooling equipment is damaged by electrical voltage fluctuations due to an energy crisis. Students and teachers frequently enough suffer heat-related illnesses,⁢ and Puerto Rico has⁣ developed ⁢guidelines for⁢ moving students to cooler places, but options are limited. The U.S. ⁣territory has⁢ made slow progress rebuilding school infrastructure damaged by hurricane Maria in 2017 and earthquakes in 2020. School facilities are not designed for or prepared for more⁤ frequent heat waves. Extreme heat is ‍linked to reduced cognitive function, especially in children,⁢ and can cause ‍anxiety.