Slovenian policies and initiatives addressing noise and acoustics issues in kindergartens and schools

The focus of this paper is on Slovenian policies and initiatives addressing acoustics and noise issues in kindergartens and schools. Despite crucial legislation for noise protection in buildings, technical guidelines are inconsistently followed, resulting in reverberation issues in various educational premises. Surveys gathered teachers' opinions on noise disturbance in three categories: kindergartens, primary schools, and a broader survey on dietary guidelines, which included questions on noise in dining areas. Preliminary findings reveal that primary schools, more than kindergartens, view noise as a significant concern, particularly acoustics over external sources. A National Institute of Public Health study, covering 653 education institutions, found that 107 primary schools considered noise disturbing. Poor acoustics was identified as the primary cause of disturbance in 171 of all institutions. Additional reasons included loud children, overcrowded places, and insufficient caregiver supervision. Information from a specialized noise and acoustics company highlighted nearly 180 interventions in Slovenian educational institutions over 15 years, primarily in primary schools (104), followed by kindergartens (11), and music schools (26). The widespread need for improvements underscores the importance of awareness and recommendations for schools, kindergartens, and municipalities to enhance the educational sound environment. This work was partly supported by the EU H2020 Equal-Life project.