Quang Ninh installs air conditioners, solar power for public schools

Public schools will be equipped with air conditioners, aiming for solar power use, instead of all costs being covered by parents as currently.

Mr. Dinh Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Department of Education and Training, stated on 19/7 that the province is implementing a new policy to equip public schools with air conditioners and explore rooftop solar power. This initiative marks the first time Quang Ninh has implemented such a policy, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on parents.

Currently, public schools in Quang Ninh have about 17,000 air conditioners, with 10,000 units in classrooms. Although approximately 70% of classrooms have air conditioners, averaging two units per classroom, the investment remains uneven, particularly in schools located in mountainous, island, and disadvantaged regions. To address this, the province plans to install 12,000 new air conditioners in the near future.

Electricity costs also present a significant burden. Last year, schools consumed over 19.5 million kWh of electricity, totaling more than 44 billion VND. In the first five months of 2026, consumption reached over 10.7 million kWh, costing 24.3 billion VND. Most air conditioner operating expenses are currently borne by students' parents, as classroom air conditioners are not typically covered by the state budget nationwide.

To reduce these operational costs, the province is surveying and evaluating the feasibility of installing rooftop solar power systems at public schools, with plans extending to 2023. Priority will be given to schools with a large student population and stable infrastructure.