Queensland kids are set to be cooler under a Liberal National Party plan to air-condition every state school classroom in Queensland.

Shadow Minister for Education and Member for Kawana, Jarrod Bleijie, said kids and teachers on the Sunshine Coast had been suffering in hot classrooms for too long.

“Currently there are children and teachers sweltering in classrooms all around Queensland with no air-conditioning,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Last year, Gatton hit 45.7 degrees Celsius, Dalby hit 43, Warwick hit 42.2, Toowoomba hit 40.8 and in January Brisbane’s maximum temperature was 37.5 degrees.

“How can children possibly learn and how can teachers teach in these conditions.

“This is why, as a part of our education plan, we will air-condition every classroom in Queensland so our children have the best possible chance at learning.

“This is all part of our plan to make Queensland kids the smartest in the nation.”

Mr Bleijie said the LNP would prioritise air-conditioning classrooms in Queensland state schools to give children on the Sunshine Coast the best chance at learning.

“Studies have shown that students perform better and produce better results in schools that have air conditioned classrooms,” Mr Bleijie said.

“In 2017, 13 out of 20 NAPLAN rankings went backwards and it is no wonder kids are struggling to learn when some days their classrooms are over 35 degrees.

“We have listened to the concerns of parents, teachers and P&Cs over the temperatures in classrooms and this is why we have developed a plan to upgrade air conditioning in classrooms at state schools throughout Queensland.

“Our plan to air condition classrooms will lead to better student results and a more comfortable working environment for our teachers, teacher aides and Principals.

“We want our kids to be the smartest in the nation, as well as the coolest.”

[ENDS]