"Our students have now become livelier." Valentina Sytik, Director, School #105, Minsk

Warm and comfortable classrooms lead to happy and healthy children

The pupils of "School 105" in Minsk have been a lot more enthusiastic about going to school lately. With good reason: They no longer need to wear coats in class during winter. And there are no leaky roofs or strained eyes due to poor lighting. The children are warm, healthy, and comfortable. 

Valentina Sytik, the school's director, says that the World Bank's energy efficiency program has "spared the health of our pupils". Earlier, the school was unable to pay the heating and electricity bills in winter. As a result, many students fell sick and classes were cancelled. Since the heating and electricity systems have been upgraded, however, there have been no more cancellations. And, she says, " We have even saved enough money to buy new desks and sports equipment."

Efficient heating is essential in a country that imports energy

Belarus imports over 80 percent of its energy needs. Whenever foreign suppliers raise gas and electricity prices and state revenues are low, schools and hospitals are forced to cut spending on heating and lighting. Meanwhile outdated energy systems in poorly designed facilities which date back to the Soviet era waste significant resources.

With energy efficiency as one of the government's top priorities, the Belarusian government turned to the World Bank for assistance in promoting the efficient use of energy in its public facilities. The World Bank's 2001Social Infrastructure Retrofitting Project aims at optimizing energy consumption in the public sector, thereby saving funds for a variety of other social purposes, and for improving health. The project covers 600 schools, kindergartens, orphanages, hospitals, and other public facilities in the six Belarusian regions, as well as the capital city of Minsk.

Efficient energy systems also help the environment in post-Chernobyl Belarus

The main focus of the World Bank's US$ 22.6 million loan is to install new high-efficiency boilers and heating substations, which automatically control energy consumption based upon indoor and outdoor temperatures. The project also targets the renovation of interior lighting and the refurbishing of windows, walls, roofs, and the like. Some district heating systems have been upgraded to save fuel.

Early results show that the upgraded electricity and heating systems have resulted in a 30 percent drop in energy consumption. At the same time the reduced load on power stations and boiler-houses has eased the pressure on the environment, which is crucial for Chernobyl-hit Belarus.

The benefits of the project go beyond the conservation of energy. Parents say children now actively save energy at home, and advocate change in the consumption habits of their parents. The children have become healthier too, and do not complain about colds or eye problems. "Our students have become livelier as well," says Sytik. "I wish all Belarusian schools could benefit from this project."

Other stories