Kids forced to play in shade of buildings after new school's blunder
Parents have voiced their concerns over the lack of air conditioning and shaded areas for pupils at a primary school in Melbourne’s north.
Ashley Park Primary School in Doreen only opened its doors this year to students but there are already complaints regarding the lack of facilities at the school.
The school recently shared images of some of its pupils avoiding the mid day heat by using the shade cast by the school’s buildings.
Worried parent Melissa Evans told Yahoo7 News she is so concerned about the school’s facilities she’s pulled her five-year-old daughter from the school until the issue is addressed.
“For my daughters safety I have had to keep her home for the past two days,” she revealed.
“When we experienced a heatwave and found out that the children were playing outside with no shaded areas or air conditioned rooms to be placed in I was outraged.”
Ms Evans said her daughter was visibly exhausted several weeks ago but couldn’t work out why.
“To expect children to be able to concentrate within class after being subjected to such temperatures is also unrealistic,” she said.
Several parents including Ms Evans have said the school’s facilities are lacking key components such as shade sails and blinds in class rooms.
While the school’s gymnasium is made available to children during extreme heat, there is no air conditioning, meaning hot and sweaty conditions.
A Department of Education Victoria spokesperson told Yahoo7 News plans for additional shade options are currently being considered.
“We are working with the school and exploring a range of options related to selecting age appropriate play equipment that will encourage physical activity and movement,” the spokesperson said.
According to the Victorian School Building Authority, the 2017-18 State Budget allocated $13.806 million towards the school while it received an additional $5.27 million in the 2018-19 State Budget.
While committing $3.8 billion across the state to the building and maintaining of schools, the spokesperson said it was a “challenge” to fairly distribute funding across the state.
“Our ongoing challenge, however, is to responsibly balance and prioritise the needs of over 1,500 government schools, all in varying condition,” the spokesperson said.
According to the department, air conditioning is only provided to schools with the highest needs based on their climate zone location and building type.
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