This is the first time that the topic of school grounds has been selected for an OECD seminar in the Programme on Educational Building (PEB). Indeed, it is probably the first time that an international event has been wholly devoted to this important area...

Hungary’s newly-built German School of Budapest is adapted to its site, is safe and environmentally friendly, and has comfortable indoor areas that are tailored for its users, including those with physical disabilities. The school’s new three-storey building, put in operation in August 2001,...

The International School of Geneva has three campuses in the region of Lake Geneva and now has a total enrolment of some 3 500 pupils; more than 100 nationalities are represented. In order to prevent overcrowding on existing campuses and to meet the growing demand, the Foundation of the...

The French government set up in 1995 the <i>Observatoire national de la sécurité des établissements scolaires et d'enseignement supérieur</i>, a national agency for safety in schools and higher education, bringing together the public owners of school buildings, representatives of staff and parents...

The United Kingdom’s Department for Education and Skills commissioned a major study to examine the relationship between capital investment in schools and subsequent academic attainment. In particular, a key objective of the study was to establish, if possible, the additional effect in terms of...

PEB, in co-operation with the Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE), hosted an experts meeting to determine how existing libraries for tertiary education may be adapted and new ones conceived to meet the future needs of the students, institutions and communities concerned.

The Business Academy Bexley is one of the first purpose-built, part-privately funded independent state schools in Europe. As part of the United Kingdoms new approach to raising educational standards in areas of social deprivation and low educational attainment, Bexley was designed to facilitate...

Late last year the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced the launch of a national competition for funding infrastructure projects in Canadian research institutions.

A former schoolhouse, more than 90 years old, is now what may be the world’s ‘smartest house’, a dwelling whose environment is controlled by a computer system that learns the occupant’s daily habits and preferences.

Science laboratories in schools are expensive to equip and maintain. Specific pedagogical needs, new technology and safety requirements contribute to the costs. In an effort to get the most efficient use of facilities, some countries are rethinking school labs with a move toward more flexible...