Forum: Air-conditioning in classrooms not a luxury but a necessity for learning

As a former primary school teacher, I second the views raised by MP Kenneth Tiong on the need for air-conditioning in all Ministry of Education (MOE) classrooms. It is time to acknowledge that our classrooms, in their current state, are often not conducive to learning.

The weather has changed significantly since many of our school buildings were designed. With the mercury climbing year after year, the heat in a standard classroom is no longer just a discomfort. It has become a physical barrier to education.

In my years of teaching, I have seen how concentration evaporates by 11am.

When you have 40 perspiring pupils packed into a single room, the air becomes thick and sweltering. Existing fans do little more than circulate hot air, while the noise they generate forces teachers to raise their voices just to be heard. During the pandemic, the requirement to wear masks made the heat even more unbearable for both pupils and staff.

The situation is worse after recess. Pupils return to the classroom physically exhausted and drenched in perspiration from outdoor play. As temperatures peak towards midday, the classroom environment becomes so oppressive that effective teaching and meaningful learning become hugely compromised.

We have journeyed six decades into nation-building and we should be well positioned to do better for our students. We need to move beyond passive cooling measures like cool paint and faster fans. Upgrading our classrooms to meet modern climate realities is necessary for a nation that prides itself on putting education first.

I urge MOE to establish indoor temperature standards and commit to a phased installation of air-conditioning, ensuring that every student, regardless of the school, has a fair environment in which to succeed.

Desiree Tan