Modular school buildings have provided an answer to the bludgeoning population of students in schools across the world. Any number of classrooms can be added any time to the existing modular building, taking into account the availability of space.

Modular school buildings can be assembled classroom by classroom. Each unit is factory-built off-site. Severe engineering procedures are used to construct each unit. The fundamental material for constructing modular units is steel. However, they can be given any kind of finishing, including a cement and mortar appearance. The shape and size of the unit can be customized according to specific needs. Such units have apertures for doors and windows, and a single unit may take up to six months to construct. Once finished, it is transported using heavy vehicles and cranes and installed on location. Due to their peculiar style of construction, modular buildings are also called prefabricated buildings.

Modular school buildings are very durable. Their durability stems from the fact that they are primarily made of steel. Apart from that, they can be made weather-resistant, corrosion-resistant and even leakage-resistant. Ventilation facilities can be provided. One of the greatest advantages is that classrooms can be appended to an existing building within a few months, which helps to house a growing student population year after year.

Though prefabricated school buildings have met the needs of the population, they have come under a lot of flak. The most important criticism against them is that they are too shabbily designed and are quite unaesthetic in their design. Today in the US alone, there are about 250,000 modular school buildings, and their number is growing at the rate of 20% per year. Several of them were built to be temporary structures; however, they still persist. Another problem associated with modular school buildings is that if they are constructed shoddily, they may develop cracks in the ceiling. This would cause water leakages and thus facilitate the growth of molds and bacteria over long periods of time. Therefore, people believe that though modular school buildings may be the answer for short terms, they would prove detrimental to students health over long periods of time.

Whatever may be the issue, school authorities and political parties are recommending the use of such modular buildings for academic purposes. One decisive factor is that modular school buildings are more economical than conventional constructions. The cost for constructing a single classroom would be around $100,000. The funds saved can be used for other worthy academic benefits.