Sandi Wear and Anne Vella are voicing their concern about the hot temperatures in which students at Eumemmerring Primary School are learning.
By Callan Date
CONCERNED parents at a Eumemmerring school are taking their children from scorching classrooms when the temperature hits 30 degrees.
The drastic measure is due to the lack of air-conditioning at Eumemmerring Primary School and the stifling conditions in which students are learning.
Frustrated mother Sandi Wear said her daughter, grade four student Meagan, recently returned home from school ill after sitting in a hot classroom all day.
“It’s not good for her education, but I will bring her home when it gets too hot,” Ms Wear said.
She said other schools in the surrounding areas had air-conditioning while Eumemmerring primary students were forced to wilt in a hot room.
School council member Anne Vella has backed Ms Wear’s comments, saying the heat inside the classrooms was a major concern for parents and staff on the committee.
“These kids can’t even sit in the classroom when it’s over 28 degrees. It’s just unbearable,” Ms Wear said.
A school official confirmed several parents had withdrawn their students on a recent hot day, with the trend set to continue as more warmer weather approaches.
Ms Wear said she would continue to protect Meagan’s welfare and take her home on hot days.
Ms Vella, who also sits on the school’s fundraising committee, said it would cost about $30,000 for air-conditioners to be installed in the classrooms.
“We just don’t have that money. The money we are raising at the moment is going towards replacing the 30-year old playground equipment at the school,” Ms Vella said.
The school has one small air-conditioner in the canteen with the other large classrooms cooled only by a ceiling fan.
Ms Wear said she has raised her concerns with several officials, including the Department of Education, but to no avail.
“I just want an honest answer,” she said.
A State Government spokesperson said the government was operating in caretaker mode due to the upcoming state election and had restricted access to information regarding Ms Wear’s complaint.
