A Danish mother refused to send her nine-year-old daughter to school this week. The classrooms were just too cold. Monika Skøtt called it 'unacceptable' that her child, Lykke, would have to sit and learn in temperatures around 16 degrees Celsius. She kept her home for two days.
This wasn't a sudden problem. The Fællesskolen Hoptrup Marstrup Vilstrup in Haderslev Municipality has struggled with heating for two years. A faulty heat pump was the culprit. School officials had asked parents to send kids with extra sweaters, thick socks, and indoor shoes. 'Even with extra clothes, they sit still in 15-16 degree temperatures,' Monika Skøtt argued. 'It's not enough.'
The situation highlights a basic expectation within the Danish welfare system. A functioning, warm school building is considered a given. When that fails, trust erodes. 'It's the municipality's responsibility to get a stable heat source in place,' the mother stated.
School head Line Dudal Lauridsen confirmed the long-running issue. For the last year and a half, they've worked with suppliers to fix the unstable heat pump. A decision was made in December to install a completely new system. But delivery takes time.
A temporary oil heater was brought in as a stopgap. That fix was delayed too. The delivery truck tipped over in the snow. The heater is now running, and warmth has returned to the corridors. For now.
Haderslev's Mayor, Mads Skau of the Venstre party, admitted the situation was far from ideal. 'It's been a really annoying situation,' he said. 'I understand that the patience of parents, children, and staff has run out.' He emphasized the temporary oil heater isn't a permanent or environmentally friendly solution. A new heat pump system is on order.
Meanwhile, nine-year-old Lykke just wanted to get back to class. 'It's very boring to be at home,' she said. 'I would much rather be in school. It's more fun to be with your friends.' No one at the municipality could say exactly when the new, permanent heating system will be ready and installed.