Despite some stinking hot days in the Lower Hunter so far this summer, many of the region’s classrooms remain without air-conditioning because of a NSW Department of Education policy.

The policy means that schools where the average maximum January temperature is between 30 and 33 degrees can apply for funding to air-condition their hottest learning spaces.

A Department of Education spokesman said the policy aimed to provide cooling for all “habitable spaces” in schools where the maximum January average was 33 degrees or higher.

He said air cooling was also provided to schools with students who have special needs and in spaces where the temperature and humidity was likely to cause “heat stress”.

But several parents have approached Fairfax Media this week to express their concern about the lack of cooling in classrooms at Rutherford Technology High School, where the average temperature is 29.5 degrees – only half a degree below funding eligibility.

While some classrooms at Rutherford High, such as the demountable buildings, have cooling other learning spaces do not.

The department spokesman said other “passive measures” were available for schools to take the edge off the heat, including insulation upgrades, sun screens, improved ventilation and appropriately designed landscaping.

“At times schools that are not entitled to air cooling for permanent classrooms under the department’s current policy may make a decision, at a local level, to install air-conditioning at their cost,” he said.

“The department has advised schools that when they propose to air cool permanent classrooms at their cost, outside of the requirements of the Air Cooling Policy, the potential need for electrical upgrades must be considered as part of the total cost of the project. 

“Rutherford Technology High School has air-conditioned a large proportion of its teaching spaces at its own cost.”

According to Bureau of Meteorology data from the Tocal weather station, there is an average of 13.4 January days where temperatures reach 30 degrees or higher, 12.2 December days and 9.7 days in February, with an average total of 53 days of 30 degrees or higher each year.