Record investment keeping schoolkids cool
More students than ever before are set for a cooler summer as the rollout of the first dedicated school air-conditioning program continues to deliver for public schools across NSW.
The $500 million Cooler Classrooms Program, which began in 2018, is being rolled out to 1,000 NSW public schools and prioritising those in the hottest parts of the state.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell joined Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons at Lurnea High School, which was added to the program earlier this year.
Ms Mitchell said the five-year program has prioritised some of our hottest schools, improving the learning environments for both students and teachers.
“So far through our Cooler Classroom Program we’ve delivered air-conditioning to more than 7,100 learning spaces and 460 libraries,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We know how important it is to provide students with a comfortable learning environment and this investment has seen works completed at more than 570 schools, with another 420 underway.”
Ms Gibbons said this ensures that students in Lurnea, and right across NSW, are benefitting from this investment.
“Students at Lurnea High School students will soon have to access to more comfortable learning spaces in the summer and winter.
“It’s all thanks to the Liberals and Nationals in government, investing in every aspect of our public schools. From fresh paint jobs to air-conditioning and security fencing to accessibility works, this government understands the importance of maintaining and upgrading our schools.”
The program also improves the air quality of indoor spaces and libraries with “smart systems” that offer heating, cooling and the provision of outside fresh air to ensure adequate ventilation at all times.
Where feasible, solar PV systems and battery storage technology is being installed to offset energy usage. More than 210 systems have been installed with a further 460 underway.
The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
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