Responding to this morning's election announcement from the NSW Premier to install air conditioning in some western Sydney schools, Greens MP for Ballina and Education spokesperson Tamara Smith said:
"We welcome any investment in public education but how about announcing air conditioning for all public schools in NSW?
"And while they are paying some attention to education in this state, why won't the Coalition and NSW Labor commit to addressing the chronic teacher shortage in NSW, and resourcing students to 100% of their basic resource entitlement.
"Pitting schools against each other is what the Coalition do best and pork barrelling something as basic as cooling in 21st century classrooms is a terrible indictment on where we are at with the systemic under funding of NSW public schools.
"We need to urgently address the crippling teacher shortages in NSW and once and for all end the handouts to wealthy private schools and redirect that funding to schools most in need.
"Neither the Liberal National government or NSW Labor have any real plan to tackle what sits at the heart of this crisis in our schools.
"Schools across the state need to benefit from rooftop solar, the use of recycled water for gardens and sports fields, and have sustainability be a part of daily school life.
"Kids might be cooler in some schools out west of Sydney but they won't flourish without teachers," Tamara said.
Last week The Greens NSW announced their plan to prepare schools for the impacts of climate change and ensure they are sustainable and comfortable spaces for students.
The Greens plan will:
- Introduce measures to reduce urban heat impacts on schools.
- Implement water recycling for non-potable uses at schools and TAFEs
- Ensure adequate air conditioning and heating in all classrooms.
- Expand school solar programs and transition schools to 100% renewable energy
- Ensure climate change and sustainability underpin the curriculum
- Ensure all students have the right to protest
CLIMATE READY SCHOOLS AND STUDENT
