Despite Western Australia’s status as one of Australia’s most consistently hot geographical areas, the State’s education board has decided to limit the number of air conditioners installed in new school buildings and existing classrooms. The policy is in line with other state cost-saving measures, including reduced school resources and completing more schools, rather than upgrading existing classrooms.
Temperatures in the state vary due to its North-South length, but can occasionally reach well above 40°C. The hottest recorded temperature in Western Australia is 50.5°C, measured in February 1998 in the state’s tropical northern section. While state capital Perth enjoys year-round moderate weather, classrooms in the state’s tropical and arid desert areas can often experience extreme temperatures.
Yet a large number of classes are still lacking adequate an air conditioning service. While the state’s ultra-hot Kimberley region has air conditioners fitted in all school buildings, classrooms located in other towns experiencing year-round heat are currently unfitted for air conditioning units. Aiming to reduce expenses, schools are required to use ceiling fans and open windows for cooling.
Despite the region-based air conditioning system, a number of nagging issues remain. Schools built along regional lines are often left without air conditioning systems, despite sharing climate zones with other ‘in region’ schools. While many schools are appealing to parents and potential sponsors for financial support, it appears that air conditioning may not be on the curriculum, even for some of Australia’s hottest schools.
