Dozens of schools forced to swelter through another summer as they wait on promised air-conditioning upgrades

Children and staff at more than 40 schools promised air-conditioning upgrades a year ago as a Cook Government election sweetener will still be forced to endure sweltering classrooms when they return to school on February 2. Last February, Premier Roger Cook promised that if Labor was re-elected, 45 public schools across WA would get new reverse-cycle air-conditioning systems to replace outdated evaporative units, at a cost of $89 million. One year later, just three schools have had air-conditioning upgrades completed. Dubbed the “cool the schools” program, the promise was a key part of election advertising for electorates containing the 45 schools. What the ads did not make clear was how long the upgrades would take. At the time, Mr Cook said kids struggled to concentrate in hot classrooms and the 45 schools represented the first wave to be upgraded out of about 500 schools without reverse-cycle systems. Former Education Minister Tony Buti said last year he expected the first schools to be upgraded by the first day of term in 2026. But when The West Australian asked this week how many of the 45 schools earmarked for upgrades now have new air-conditioning systems in place, current Education Minister Sabine Winton did not provide a figure. Pushed for a number, Ms Winton then said three schools had their air-conditioning upgrades completed and would be ready for the first day of school this year. They are Burrendah, Booragoon and White Gum Valley primary schools. Ms Winton noted the pledge had been for the works to be completed during the Government’s four-year term. “We want all WA students and school staff to have access to comfortable learning and working environments,” she said. “Works are progressing to ensure all 45 schools have their upgrades completed in this term of Government, in line with our March 2025 election commitment to complete these upgrades in this term of Government. “In the 2025-26 State Budget, an initial $43.3 million was invested towards the first tranche of upgrades. “This work is significant and ongoing, and includes coordinated planning, electrical upgrades, tendering and installation, and will be scheduled to minimise disruption to students and staff. “We remain committed to transitioning these schools to modern, energy-efficient reverse-cycle air-conditioning in this term of Government.” The State School Teachers Union, which had previously claimed students’ learning was suffering because classrooms were so hot the crayons and glue sticks were melting, was frustrated by the slow progress. “We have no official confirmation of numbers but three from the 45 promised in 2025 is extremely disappointing,” SSTU president Matt Jarman said. “Noisy, ineffective air conditioners have a detrimental effect on both teachers and pupils. We urge the government to speed up the process as a matter of urgency.” Shadow education minister Liam Staltari said it was “outrageous” that nearly one year on, only three of the 45 promised schools had been upgraded. “What’s worse, the government have only funded half of these upgrades in their Budget and have refused to come clean on which schools are next and which will be forced to wait for years,” he said. “It’s a betrayal of these school communities’ trust.”