Her Majesty’s youngest subjects in peril. British pupils in gloves and coats next winter in the classrooms? Faced with exploding energy bills, the situation becomes inextricable for public schools in the United Kingdom, forced to radical solutions.
A “colossal” rise: Rachael Warwick, who runs a group of three schools in the south of England, cannot find another word. In normal times, its budget for gas and electricity reaches 250,000 pounds (289,000 euros) per year. But the galloping rise in energy prices for a year has increased the bill to 1.1 million pounds (1.27 million euros).
“We are looking for an extra 900,000 pounds, not budgeted, it’s a huge pressure,” she worries. The UK is already battered by double digit inflation, the highest level among the G7 countries, and the situation threatens to worsen in the face of further expected energy price hikes.
While households are protected by a price cap imposed by the public authorities, which must however increase by 80% in October, nothing exists for businesses and public establishments. From pubs to hospitals, the crisis affects all sectors.
Lower the heat a degree or two
“From what I hear from other schools, the prices will at least double or triple,” worries Paul Gosling, principal of a primary school in Exmouth (south of England) and president of the directors’ union. NAHT establishments. Especially since the schools must also finance, without additional contribution from the State, the 5% increase in the salaries of their employees, announced this summer by the government.
“Books are more expensive, food is more expensive, everything is more expensive,” insists Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis school group, which has 52 establishments. As a result, principals everywhere are looking for ways to save money. “These are difficult choices,” he laments, referring to the possibility of increasing class sizes, canceling school trips, or lowering the heating by a degree or two.
“Some suggest switching to a 4-day week. To close school for a day. But we can’t do that (…) Otherwise, how will the parents go to work? Rachael Warwick plans to reduce energy consumption in her schools by “20 to 30%”, with “obvious” measures. “We’re going to turn down the heat, turn off the lights. We will ask students and staff to dress warmer. But it’s not at all up to the savings we have to make, ”she points out.
They demand a ceiling price
Everyone therefore appeals to the future Prime Minister who will be appointed on Monday. “All public services would need a ceiling price”, like individuals, claims Paul Gosling. He points, like other directors, to years of austerity in education funding.
At the Ministry of Education, we say we are “aware of the inflationary pressures facing schools”. The government has “increased its funding by £4 billion this year” and also provided schools with recommendations on energy supply deals, it said in a statement.
In the campaign to designate the future Prime Minister, the two finalists, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, promised to help schools with these additional costs. “We are in this situation because we decided to support the Ukrainians. By doing this, there is of course a price to pay but there is no reason for the children to pay it, ”says Steve Chalke.