When classes resume this week in Canada, the winnipegfreepress reports 9,000 school children will be taught in 361 modular classrooms stretching across 32 school divisions. Each unit costs about $130,000, not counting site preparation. Education Minister Nancy Allan says, “These modular classrooms are built incorporating the most current heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems that are energy-efficient and they actually do provide healthier teaching environments” than older modular classrooms, she told a recent legislative committee hearing. Some teachers prefer them because there are fewer interruptions and no noise from an adjoining corridor. On the down side, MHProNews has learned the modular classrooms do not have restrooms, requiring students to go outside to another building. That also requires more custodial staff to shovel snowy pathways between buildings as well as cleaning additional rooms.

(Photo credit: Joe Bryksa/winnipegfreepress–modular classroom)