The state government has some work to do in Wagga before meeting its pledge to increase the numbers of air conditioners in schools.
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A Fairfax Media analysis of data from the NSW education department, suggests three of Wagga’s larger schools do not have enough air conditioners to cool every permanent classroom.
In the June budget, the government announced it would spend $500 million on putting air conditioning into up to 1000 schools across NSW.
Opposition education spokesman Jihad Dib said hot, stuffy classrooms would hurt children's ability to focus and learn.
“It’s hard for a school to get an average of 31 degrees, but there’s plenty of days over 40 each year. Those sorts of conditions make it nearly impossible, not only to teach but also to learn.
“But we are asking students to sit in classrooms for up to six hours a day where the temperature is well over 40 degrees.
“Labor’s commitment will ensure there is no distinction between schools based on where they are in the state – every single school in Wagga will be made into a great learning environment.”
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Using a benchmark of 30 students per class, most schools across the Wagga City Council Local Government Area would likely have enough air conditioned classrooms for every student.
However, there are exceptions.
Forest Hill Public School, Kapooka Public School and North Wagga Public School have more than 30 students for every permanent classroom with air conditioning.
The data suggested the schools would exceed recommended class sizes if every student was placed in those air conditioned classrooms.
The data was was obtained by the NSW opposition under the Government Information Public Access Act.
Due to limitations in the data, the analysis is only an indication.
It is possible the schools with student high ratios could make up the difference using demountable classrooms with air conditioning.
A spokesman for the NSW Department of Education said all schools that experienced a long-term mean January maximum of 30 degrees and above would receive air conditioning in permanent classrooms and libraries.
He said schools below that temperature could apply for funding and the assessment would look at a classroom's humidity, existing infrastructure and design.