The NSW Education Department is investigating bringing forward plans to install air-conditioning at Blaxland High School.
The development comes after Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle criticised delays over the rollout of the program, with the school not scheduled for installation until 2022.
NSW Upper House Liberal MP Shayne Mallard said "the department is exploring opportunities to accelerate the delivery schedule" for the air-conditioning despite advising the school this April that works would start in the third term of 2022.
The government's response follows a recent meeting between Ms Doyle, students and Blaxland High School P&C President, Robyn Totenhofer.
"I fail to understand why Blaxland High is having to wait for this program to be rolled out. It has already been determined that the school is eligible so what's the hold up?" said Ms Doyle. "The NSW government claims they are committed to providing students with healthy and comfortable learning environments. I imagine that the students at Blaxland High would beg to differ."
Students have also expressed their frustration at the wait for air conditioning.
"It impedes our ability to concentrate and learn, as it's too hot to retain detailed information. This means we have to do more work at home," said student Charlotte Smith.
Blaxland High P&C President, Robyn Totenhofer, has been advocating for the installation of air conditioning at the school since it was announced as one of the successful recipients of the Cooler Classrooms Fund in 2018.
"The air conditioning installation should have been completed for this summer as promised by the state government. This delay is really disappointing," she said.
But Mr Mallard said the NSW education minister's office advised there hasn't been a delay, with the 2022 installation date communicated as recently as this April.
"Labor seems to think we are simply popping down to Harvey Norman to pick up an air conditioner. In reality we are rolling out complex systems that include fresh air systems," he said. "These have to be skilfully retrofitted to many older style buildings. This usually involves power upgrades to the site. It's not as simple as Labor's Bunnings solution."
Mr Mallard said the Department of Education has been in regular communication with the Blaxland High School community.
"The Cooler Classrooms program is a $500 million, five-year investment by the NSW Government to improve learning environments in public schools across the state. There are more than 900 schools currently included as part of the program," he said.
"To deliver a quality, sustainable and cost effective program of this scale takes time and that is why the NSW government announced that the rollout will be over five years."
