Tamil Nadu Rolls Out Cool Roof and Climate Education Initiative Across 300 Schools

Tamil Nadu has taken a decisive step toward climate resilience by launching Cool Roof and Climate Education initiatives across 300 Green Schools in the state. As classrooms brace for soaring summer temperatures, the programme aims to reduce heat stress while transforming campuses into active learning spaces for sustainability and environmental awareness.

The initiative, announced in the 2025 to 2026 State Budget, is being implemented in collaboration with the School Education Department under the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission. A central focus is the Cool Roof intervention, designed to lower indoor classroom temperatures that often rise to 38 to 40 degrees Celsius during peak summer months. Pilot projects have demonstrated a temperature reduction of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, significantly improving comfort levels and learning conditions for students.

Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the programme integrates hands on climate education. Teachers will undergo specialised residential training, while students will participate in nature camps and statewide climate literacy activities such as the Soozhal Arivom quiz. The objective is to move beyond textbook learning and equip students with practical knowledge on climate change, resource management and sustainable living.

Heat has now been recognised as a state specific disaster, and studies indicate that classroom temperatures above 30 to 32 degrees Celsius can negatively impact concentration and academic performance. By adopting passive cooling techniques and promoting awareness from an early age, the state aims to build long term climate resilience.

Officials believe the initiative could serve as a scalable model for other public buildings in the future. With a combined approach of infrastructure innovation and experiential education, Tamil Nadu is positioning its schools at the forefront of climate action.