"It's a construction site. You can't concentrate when drilling is going on during class,es" says one student.
Two weeks ago, Kanalskolan reopened after being closed for three years. The school has been refurbished and converted from a primary school to an upper secondary school (gymnasiet). The aim is to relieve Anderstorp and Baldergymnasiet, which have been overcrowded for some time.
Many have welcomed the fact that the classic functionalist building from 1935 is now being given new life. But in recent weeks, Norran has also been in contact with several students and guardians who are not happy with how things have turned out. Now nine pupils in year three have chosen to talk about their experiences.
- There are many things that are unacceptable at the school. It actually feels like shit," summarizes one pupil.
Students are critical of the common areas, which are perceived as cramped and claustrophobic, especially between classes when many people are crowded into the same areas. In contrast to Anderstorpsgymnasiet, there are no bookable group rooms at Kanalskolan and the corridors are often noisy.
– There is almost no place to sit during breaks. You have to stand and hang out in the corridor or on the stairs, says one student.
Two other students add:
– There are some wooden benches, but it's not a good environment to sit and study.
– This school is not designed to be a high school. It feels like a poor emergency solution that they have thrown together.
Norran has already reported that the school kitchen is being rebuilt. It will be ready after the autumn break, but for now the food will be delivered from Anderstorpsgymnasiet. The old student cafeteria has been converted into a temporary cafeteria, and according to the students, it has major shortcomings.
– You often have to wait in line for half an hour, and there have been times when there wasn't enough food for everyone. For example, when steaks were served, the potatoes ran out. And when they served hamburgers, there was no good vegetarian option.
– You're always hungry and tired; it's hard to concentrate. Some students have started going to other schools to eat there instead.
The old student cafeteria has been converted into a temporary canteen.
Students also feel that the ventilation is poor and that the soundproofing is not working.
– It has been very hot throughout the school, but when you open the windows you can only hear the construction work outside.
Another student adds:
– And it's very loud. We've talked to the teachers about it, and they said they're going to instal soundproofing, but it hasn't been done yet.
It's a new school and there are bound to be some problems initially. Can you see that?
– Yes, but these are things that are of concern to us here and now. It would have been good if some of the problems had been fixed before the school opened, says one student.
Another adds:
–You can't blame the teachers, they are doing their best. But I wish there had been more planning.
All criticisms raised in the article are corroborated by more than one student.
School principal Sara Lundström Haglind tells Norran that she understands the students' criticism. At the same time, she emphasizes that the situation will improve when the canteen is finished. Then there will again be a student cafeteria with several seats.
–I understand that students may feel that we have not kept our promises, but we are working to make the situation as good as possible. We will continue to talk about it, says Lundström Haglind.
Those who want to study in a quiet environment will now be able to sit in the library/studio. At the moment, however, it is full of stacks of books.
Students also mention that there is poor ventilation and soundproofing. Shouldn't you have fixed that before the term started?
– I understand that it is hard for the students. Now we have ordered soundproofing to be installed in all classrooms.
– In the first week of the semester, we got in touch with the building management about the ventilation system. It has now been speeded up, and I have not heard any complaints since.
Lundström Haglind also says that the timetables have been revised. The hope is that there won't be such long queues at the canteen in the future.
– It is true that the potatoes ran out one day when there were long queues. We are in constant dialogue with the food service department to make sure that doesn't happen again, she says.
The students think that the move to Kanalskolan feels like an emergency solution and that the school is not really suitable as a senior high school. Do you agree?
– It is hard for me to answer. After all, it is a temporary solution until the new school is ready. As I said, I can understand that the students are disappointed, but it will be better when the cafeteria is finished and the schoolyard is no longer a construction site, says Lundström Haglind.