KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 ― The Parent Action Group of Education Malaysia (PAGE) disagreed today with a Barisan Nasional (BN) senator’s suggestion to install air-conditioners in school classrooms, saying the proposal may be too costly for taxpayers.
PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahman also said the move could lead to abuse and wastage, especially if the units were ill-maintained.
"Some people are already struggling to pay bills with air-conditioners at home. In schools, it might be used carelessly.
"For example, not switching it off when not in use, or leaving it on when no one is occupying the room. These only leads to wastage and besides, it is also expensive,” she told Malay Mail Online.
"So who’s going to be paying the bill? Who’s going to maintain it? Can the government afford? You need at least two air-conditioners for one classroom or at least a really good one. So, no. I don't agree to this," she added.
Senator Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah yesterday suggested that classrooms in schools be equipped with air-conditioners so that learning sessions are not affected by the El Nino phenomenon.
National newswire Bernama yesterday reported him telling the Dewan Negara that such a move was to ensure that students could complete their syllabus, especially those sitting for examinations.
“The schools are closed when the weather is extremely hot, previously schools were closed because of the haze, now it is the El Nino, so what happens to our children who are sitting for examinations, do they study enough?
“If there is not enough budget, install the air-conditioners only in classes where the students are sitting for examinations,” he reportedly said.
