School Buildings Research Articles

Improving the seismic resilience index of a school building

Improving the seismic resilience index of a school building

Use of Sustainable Energy Sources and Technologies in Primary and Secondary School Buildings in Greece. Can They Eliminate their Carbon Footprint?

School buildings consume energy covering their energy demand. The most of them utilize fossil fuels and grid electricity while the use of renewable energies is rather limited. School buildings should eliminate their carbon emissions in order to achieve the global target for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The energy consumption and the carbon emissions in schools have been evaluated. School buildings in Greece consume less than 100 kWh/m2 year. Solar thermal energy, solar photovoltaic energy and high efficiency heat pumps can cover all the energy demand in school buildings in Greece replacing the use of conventional energy sources. These energy technologies are reliable, mature and cost-effective. There are 7,756 primary and secondary school buildings in Greece consuming 1.67 TWh/year. The total cost of energy renovation eliminating their carbon emissions is estimated at 1,156,000 €/school or 8.96 billion € for the 7,756 schools in the country. For achieving the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, 310 Greek schools should be energy refurbished every year eliminating their carbon footprint in the next 25 years. Taking into account the availability of benign energy sources and technologies the main barrier for eliminating the carbon emissions in school buildings in Greece by 2050 is the high investment cost. Our results could be useful for the development of the required policies for decarbonization in school buildings.

School buildings performance evaluation method (SC-BPE Method)

Assessing the condition of school buildings is essential to ensure a quality learning environment for users. Therefore, the objective of this article is to propose a Method for Evaluating the Performance of School Buildings. In this work, design science research was the method used to create the artifact, which consists of 4 stages. A literature review of academic works and national and international standards and guidelines were carried out to identify the criteria that should be considered in assessing the performance of school buildings. 71 subcriteria were identified, grouped into 12 criteria according to their correlations: facilities, finishes, fire safety, thermal, acoustic and visual comfort, infrastructure, sustainability, habitability, safety (of the school and the student), external factors and environments. The 12 criteria were further divided into 2 dimensions. The weighting of these criteria was performed using the Delphi method. For this stage, 6 experts from four different cities with experience in design, conservation and maintenance of school infrastructure were selected. Subsequently, a method of evaluating the criteria and measuring performance was proposed, which consists of the weighted sum of the evaluations of each criterion, based on a visual inspection and completion of the established protocols. The School Building Performance Evaluation Method encompasses all aspects of the building and is a viable form of evaluation, without requiring sophisticated equipment.

Education and Welfare: The Role of Public Policy in Equalizing Educational Opportunities for the South Papua Generation

This research aims to identify public policies that increase access to education in South Papua, analyze their impact on educational equality, and evaluate the factors that influence the effectiveness of these policies, including the social, economic, and cultural challenges faced by local communities. This research uses qualitative methods and a case study approach to investigate the role of public policy in improving access and quality of education in Merauke Regency, especially Waan District. Through a purposive sampling approach, this research selected a representative sample to explore challenges and solutions in education in the region. The research instrument includes indicators such as access to education, quality of education, community involvement, and the impact of education policies, which will be analyzed comprehensively using a qualitative approach. The research results show that public policy has increased access to education in South Papua through infrastructure, scholarship programs, and improving the quality of teachers and curriculum. The development of educational infrastructure, including school buildings and learning facilities, has a positive impact on the accessibility and quality of education in the region. The scholarship program needs to be updated to reach the right targets and be effective for the people who need it. Improving teacher quality and adjusting the curriculum supports education standards in South Papua, but needs to be further encouraged through continuous training. Social factors such as economic inequality, gender inequality, and traditional culture influence access to education, requiring a holistic approach to education policy. Keywords: education, well-being, public policy, educational opportunities, South Papuan Generation

Analisis Perhitungan Struktur Pembangunan Gedung Sekolah 4 Lantai di Semarang

To meet the community's educational needs, existing schools are encouraged to increase their student capacity by building new facilities. As public infrastructure, school buildings need to be designed as reliably as possible, including their earthquake resistance. To ensure that a building is earthquake-resistant, this study analyzes it using the ETABS software. This research was conducted in Semarang City on a four-story school building. The results indicate that the Participating Mass Ratio of the school building is greater than 90%. The comparison of the Response Spectrum with the Equivalent Static method shows 92.80% along the X-axis and 87.85% along the Y-axis. Based on the calculated inter-story drift, if an earthquake occurs with the provided data, the building is expected to withstand the event without collapsing.

Optimizing cooling setpoint using adaptive thermal comfort concept for school building in desert climates under current and future climates

Optimizing cooling setpoint using adaptive thermal comfort concept for school building in desert climates under current and future climates

Essential Attributes to Stimulate 21st Century Skills amongst Children Learning in Pre-war Schools

Globally, new schools are built according to users' needs and are comparable with the newest pedagogical approach. The efforts, however, raised concern about the affordance of existing school buildings and whether the users are experiencing the present educational transformation. This study, therefore, aims to examine factors that qualify a school to provide twenty-first-century learning, specifically pre-war school buildings in Scotland. Through a focus group design charrette, this study obtained forty-eight primary six children’s perceptions of what the school spaces afford. Schools should provide sufficient learning spaces that are broadly utilized and flexible to provide supplementary learning experiences for children.

Mapping Rosenwald Schools for African Americans in South Carolina: A Geographic Analysis of Spatial Patterns

In early twentieth-century America, many Blacks in the south had poor access to schooling. Philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington collaborated to help build schools in the south for Blacks in the 1920s and 1930s. This paper analyzes the geographic patterns of the schools that were built using funds donated by Rosenwald in the state of South Carolina. Some 446 of the 500 Rosenwald schools were located and mapped using a multi-step process, and then data related to these schools were analyzed in four state subregions. Rosenwald schools were built around the state, with relatively more schools built in the northern part of the state compared with the south, where a larger Black population in the south potentially points to less access to schools for Blacks at that time. Rosenwald funds required contributions from other sources, and the state, Blacks, and Whites all contributed. Interestingly, in the south, where there was a higher percentage of Blacks, Whites contributed a larger share towards the building of these schools in comparison with other state regions. The paper thus shows both the process and value of mapping these Rosenwald schools and analyzing this important historical time in South Carolina within a spatial construct.

A Sustainable Vision for Technical Education 4.0 of Post COVID-19

The impacts of industry 4.0 have been reflected in education around the world as countries compete to formulate educational policies based on innovation and digitization in order to adapt to the IR 4.0. In this regard, a new approach to technical education 4.0 has been formulated. It seeks to integrate technical education with the technology developments that define the Industrial Revolution 4.0, emphasizing the importance of this alignment in promoting sustainable economic growth and fostering inclusive development. The paper highlights the strategies and techniques implemented in the design of technical education 4.0 school buildings, arriving at legislative and design recommendations for creating school buildings that are compatible with sustainable education, meet the needs of industry 4.0 building practices, and are supported by modern technologies. By using an integrated approach in terms of new design needs and new education needs that adapt to modern pandemics and prevent any diseases in the future, this research aims to present a new model for technical education 4.0 in the pandemic era in line with the sustainable development goals in the Education Strategy 2030. This study discusses the problems existing in the current situation of technical education schools in Egypt and comes up with a new model that is compatible with new design and educational needs. It is structured using new design strategies for technical education 4.0 schools based on design patterns for 21st century schools that meet industry 4.0 needs and address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the Law: Virtually an education

The closure of school buildings during the pandemic made virtual instruction necessary. Since schools have reopened, its use has become more normalized than it was pre-COVID. Bob Kim discusses some of the civil rights issues education leaders and policy makers must consider if they choose to assign certain students to virtual instruction. Some students, particularly students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and English learners, may have difficulty accessing virtual instruction or receiving the full benefit of instruction when it is delivered virtually.

Schools and Indoor Air Quality: seasonal variation

Abstract Background Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in schools is a public health concern, given the vulnerability of children as a demographic group and substantial amount of time that they spend in (highly occupied) classrooms. Conditions specific for school buildings, as well as location and outdoor air quality (OAQ), can adversely affect IAQ and children’s health. The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variation in IAQ and the influence of OAQ herein in primary schools. Methods Sampling was carried out in summer and winter in 5 schools in central Poland. A culture-dependent method using impactors was applied to examine the total number of bacteria and fungi. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (quartz filters for sampling) was applied to determine concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), crucial for their health impact. Results In poorly ventilated classrooms bacteria levels exceeded that of fungi. Bacterial contamination decreased in efficiently ventilated rooms, and before/after the lessons. In summer fungi concentration in indoor air was higher than in winter and reached the level of fungi outdoors. PAHs concentrations (especially those with 4 and more rings, which are biologically active) and the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity equivalents were elevated in winter and related to changes in concentrations in outdoor air. Conclusions IAQ in schools depends on a season. Occupants in classrooms are the main source of bacteria, but the type and number of microorganisms also depend on ventilation conditions. PAHs characteristic of coal/wood combustion indicates that in the absence of internal emission sources, external sources most likely affect IAQ in schools in winter.

Pendampingan Sanitasi Total Berbasis Masyarakat melalui Gerakan Toilet Sekolah Ramah Anak di SD Muhammadiyah Balayuda Palembang

Healthy schools are something that is very necessary in creating a healthy and strong generation, one of which is toilet conditions. Adequate toilets, both in terms of number, appearance and facilities, have a significant impact on students' psychology. The aim of this community service is to increase school students' knowledge of using toilets and create child-friendly toilets. The implementation method is carried out by counseling using poster media and evaluation to determine the success of education for school children. At the end of the activity, the service team provided equipment for the school toilet, namely trash boxes with lids, hand washing soap, toilet tissue and slippers. The results of the activity were carried out on November 18 2023 in the Muhammadiyah Balayudha High School building in Palembang, attended by 20 grade 11 students. The material presented outlined 10 indicators of healthy toilets in terms of number, appearance and facilities including clean, bright, available tissue and soap, fragrant, dry, available running water, not slippery, available trash box, larva-free water tank. Participants were enthusiastic about taking part in this activity because each class in their school was equipped with toilet facilities. The conclusion of this activity is good information and input for the school in maintaining student health, it is necessary to pay attention to aspects of toilet cleanliness and comfort.

Desain Taman Atap pada Gedung SMP Pesat Bogor Berdasarkan Preferensi Pengguna

The increasing rate of urbanization on limited urban land has resulted in reduced Green Open Space (RTH) in urban areas. Therefore, the design of a roof garden on a school building can be a solution to increase the area of ​​green open space and a place for outdoor learning activities. This study aims to analyze the potential and constraints on the site so that a roof garden design can be developed according to user preferences. The stages of work refer to Booth (1983) which consist of project acceptance, research/analysis, concepts, and construction drawings. The design concept applied is inspired by the organically formed Falco peregrinus. The results of this study are in the form of a roof garden site plan as well as detailed pictures of the facilities used in the roof garden of building 3 SMP-SMA-SMK Informatika Pesat. The results of the study are expected to create a roof garden on a school building that can function as green open space and a refreshing area as well as a teaching and learning area.

Indoor Environment in Kindergartens Located in the North of Portugal: Evaluation of Thermal Comfort and Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Adequate school buildings are essential for the development of children, young people, and adolescents, as they must provide conditions that support their well-being and health. A healthy and comfortable indoor environment is critical for students’ performance in the learning process. This study aims to evaluate the indoor environment in kindergartens located in northern Portugal, with a primary focus on thermal comfort and indoor air quality. To achieve this, five buildings with varying construction characteristics were monitored, with temperature and relative humidity measurements taken in classrooms of different orientations over time. Additionally, the outdoor climate was also monitored. Based on the collected data, thermal comfort was evaluated using the adaptive model defined by the European standard EN 16798. Continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration was also conducted in three of these buildings. The results reveal significant heterogeneity among the buildings, demonstrating the influence of construction characteristics on the interior thermal conditions. The recorded temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 27 °C, highlighting a substantial variability in performance across the different buildings. Particularly, the orientation and size of glazed openings, together with the lack of thermal insulation in the building envelope, especially in the roof, were found to have an important impact on the thermal comfort of the occupants. Furthermore, a relationship was observed between the daily maximum carbon dioxide concentration and the outdoor temperature, as a result of users’ efforts to minimize uncontrolled air infiltration, by limiting the opening of doors and windows, with consequences in the air exchange between the interior and exterior.

The Efficacy of Inclusive Education Practices in Zimbabwean Rural Schools: Challenges and Opportunities

Purpose. The purpose of this research is to assess the extent of implementation and the efficiency of inclusive education practices at a selected secondary school in Zimbabwe. Methodology. The study employed a qualitative research design; data was gathered through interviews, and observed responses, from 15 purposive-selected participating teachers, holding different teaching positions. Consequently, the study relied on social learning theory (SLT) to determine how the process of implementing and participatory education for all is in its local context. Results. The results show that although Zimbabwe has robust national legislation that protects the rights of students with disabilities to access inclusive education, the process is plagued by poor physical facilities, lack of appropriate training for teachers, and social prejudice towards people with disabilities. Some of the implementation differences that stood out included the areas of students with disabilities, policy, resources, and teachers. Accordingly, the study concludes that unless teachers in Zimbabwean secondary schools begin to practice inclusive education in a more focused manner, it is unlikely that many of the disabled students will be empowered to participate fully. Conclusions. Among the suggestions are improving physical and communication access to school buildings, and providing on-going staff training on integration, promoting cooperation among the various actors, and the development of sound assessment mechanisms. This study adds to the existing literature on the predictors of effective inclusive education in Zimbabwean secondary schools. It offers implications on how to foster the educational experiences of students with learning disabilities.

Examining the Nexus between School Infrastructure and Instructional Materials on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Gombe State

The main purpose of the study was to examine the nexus between school infrastructure and instructional materials on the academic performance of secondary schools in Gombe State. The study was guided by two specific objectives, two research questions, as well as two null hypotheses. The research which was conducted in the Gombe State adopted a correlation research design. The population of the study was 24,216 subjects comprising 3,178 teachers and 21,038 Senior Secondary (SS II) students in public Secondary Schools in Gombe State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted for the study in which simple random and purposive sampling were used. To determine the sample size, the Taro Yamane formula was used and a sample size of 348 was determined. Impact of School Facilities on Academic Performance Questionnaire” (ISFAPQ) was used as the instrument for data collection. The ISFAPQ was subjected to face validation by three experts and a trial test was conducted in Bauchi State which a reliability index of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha. Data were collected through a questionnaire, and End of third-term results form. The data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviation as well as linear regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that school buildings and instructional materials had a significant impact on the academic performance of secondary school students in Gombe State. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made; The Government should ensure that school buildings are well-built and painted to facilitate teaching and learning. Instructional materials should be made available by the government and management of secondary schools to enable effective teaching and learning.

Tohoku resilient schools and youth engagement in memory after 2011 tsunami

PurposeIn 2011, a disaster devastated the Tohoku region in Japan and left more than 15,000 victims. However, there could have been more. School buildings became a center of response and evacuation during the emergency, playing a central role in each disaster phase. How did the schools manage the situation in small Japanese communities and what lessons can be drawn? Disaster prevention education and training, rapid evacuation, survival in shelters and transmission of experiences to future generations are the key to disaster management in Japan. In the Tohoku area, these lessons are also connected with the history and memory of previous tsunamis.Design/methodology/approachFrom a local approach and socio-historical methodology, research is based on ethnographic fieldwork in disaster-affected communities, archival data collection and oral testimonies. Between November 2020 and March 2023, in-depth interviews were conducted with tsunami survivors, children and community leaders involved in disaster response during the months and years following the tsunami. The analysis focuses on disaster response in schools, survival and building capacities of youth during reconstruction through six case studies.FindingsThis research determines the importance of local history in tsunami management in Tohoku. It offers practical examples from each disaster phase for individuals and communities to face disasters and foster resilience. It reveals, on the other hand, how during the reconstruction process, a young generation embraced memory to reinforce disaster prevention for the future of the region.Originality/valueHighlighting the importance of including children and youth in disaster response, reconstruction and memory through applicable cases, this study provides a guide of school experiences in Japan that can become global lessons for disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Green Campus Transformation in Smart City Development: A Study on Low-Carbon and Energy-Saving Design for the Renovation of School Buildings

In the context of increasingly deteriorating global ecological conditions and rising carbon emissions from buildings, campus architecture, as the primary environment for youth learning and living, plays a crucial role in low-carbon energy-efficient design, and green environments. This paper takes the case of Yezhai Middle School in Qianshan, Anhui Province, to explore wind environment optimization and facade energy-saving strategies for mountainous campus buildings under existing building stock renovation. In the context of smart city development, integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices into public infrastructure has become a key objective. Through wind environment simulations and facade energy retrofitting, this study reveals nonlinear increases in wind speed with building height and significant effects of ground roughness on wind speed variations. Adopting EPS panels and insulation layers in facade energy retrofitting reduces energy consumption for winter heating and summer cooling. The renovated facade effectively prevents cold air intrusion and reduces external heat gain, achieving approximately 24% energy savings. This research provides a scientific basis and practical experience for low-carbon energy retrofitting of other campus and public buildings, advancing the construction industry towards green and low-carbon development goals within the framework of smart city initiatives.

Empirical study of facade retrofits for optimizing energy efficiency and cooling in school buildings in Saudi Arabia

Educational buildings in Saudi Arabia are characterized by high energy consumption, primarily due to cooling and lighting demands. This study aims to evaluate and optimize facade retrofitting strategies to improve energy efficiency and evaluate economic performance of many scenarios in Saudi school buildings, aligning with the sustainability objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The research employs a simulation-based optimization methodology utilizing Design Builder software to explore key facade design variables, including Window-to-Wall Ratio, glazing type, local shading devices, and external wall insulation. The methodology is structured in sequential stages: it begins with the collection of base-case data, followed by a data-driven optimization process targeting specific design variables. This is then complemented by an economic and environmental assessment of the optimal retrofit scenarios, ultimately leading to the identification of the most effective energy-saving solution presented at the conclusion of the study. Through an optimization process, the research identifies retrofitting strategies that reduce cooling loads by up to 17 %, lighting energy consumption by 49 % and annual energy costs by 18 %. The study also includes an economic analysis of the retrofits, revealing significant savings in annual electricity costs and a reduction in the building's carbon footprint. This research contributes valuable insights into sustainable building practices, offering practical solutions for improving energy efficiency in the educational sector. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of facade retrofits within the context of extreme climatic conditions, which provides a replicable model for retrofitting educational buildings across the region. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, architects, and sustainability advocates seeking to meet Saudi Arabia's energy conservation goals.

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

A series of earthquakes that commenced on December 28, 2020, resulted in extensive material damage within a 50-60 km radius from the epicenter, located near the City of Petrinja. Due to the significant structural damage sustained by the building of Petrinja Primary School I, a decision was made to construct a new school building. The construction of the new school began in 2022 and was completed in 2023. This study presents the findings of geotechnical investigations conducted at the site of the new school, which included five static cone penetration tests (CPTu), two dynamic probing heavy tests (DPH), one Marchetti dilatometer test (DMT), and two profiles of multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW). The geotechnical investigations resulted in the development of a soil profile consisting of eight distinct zones. Recommendations for the foundation design of the new building have been provided, alongside an assessment of the risk of soil liquefaction. The potential for liquefaction has been identified within zone 4, which comprises clayey sands at depths ranging from 4 to 6 meters.