Baghdad Karkh education office sets 23°C minimum for school air conditioners

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Baghdad's Karkh First Education Directorate has ordered schools and affiliated units to set air conditioners in classrooms and offices to a minimum of 23 degrees Celsius, according to a directive circulated to educational institutions. The instruction is based on a written request from the Ministry's Energy Support and Emissions Reduction Team, operating under the Office of the Deputy Minister for Scientific Affairs. The directive cites the Council of Ministers' decision on energy savings and emissions reduction, along with the implementation plans of a national initiative policy. It frames the temperature setting as part of broader efforts to cut losses in the public sector and improve energy efficiency. Officials said the measure is intended to bring energy consumption in educational institutions under control. The directorate asked that the new setting be observed across all schools and connected units, adding that implementation will proceed in line with the ministry's policy text. Further details on enforcement and monitoring were not immediately available.