Since the carnival holidays, staff and students at Lycée Robert-Schuman have had to adapt to significant changes following the discovery of structural issues during renovation works on the school building.
Inspections revealed that certain construction elements in the upper floors of the old building no longer meet modern safety standards. As a precautionary measure, the school has restricted access to these areas.
According to the Ministry of Education, these steps are “preventative”, prioritising the safety and well-being of students and staff. Affected students are currently attending classes in the new building or at the National Institute of Languages (INL). Stabilisation measures have also allowed the ground floor of the secondary school to remain in use.
Michèle Remakel, the school’s headmistress, assured that the safety of students and staff was never compromised. Two independent experts assessed the situation and confirmed there was no immediate danger, emphasising that the measures are purely preventative. Remakel noted that building standards have evolved significantly over the past century, making it “normal” to take such precautions. As a result, the first, second, and third floors of the old building will remain out of use for the time being.
Both staff and students have shown understanding for the situation, though some have noted the suddenness of the changes and the inconvenience of relocating certain classes to the INL. Further analysis is planned to determine the necessary repairs and the best approach to address the issues.
Luc Dahmen, director of the Public Building Administration, highlighted that relocating classes has made the process easier. “We can now approach the project differently, and it minimises disruptions for the school”, he explained. Approximately 20 classes are currently affected by the changes.
To ensure the school can continue functioning during the renovations, tailor-made pavilions are set to be installed in the school courtyard by autumn 2025. While the exact duration of the works remains unclear, the school has decided to use this opportunity to simultaneously renovate the classrooms.
