According to this recent Courier-Mail article, the Qld Gov are still not willing to ease heat stress in stifling hot SE Qld classrooms outside the Cooler School Zones. School communities continue to suffer through summer in the humidity and heat. Children and teachers are still unable to function in unacclimatised classrooms and offices in schools. Children are still feeling sick and being sent home or are being kept at home by their parents. Teachers are still struggling through their work day in these unbearably hot conditions. As stated in ‘Advancing Clean Energy Schools Program’ in the education.qld.gov.au website, in the paragraph under the last heading: ‘When will the government make a decision about installing systems to reduce energy costs? The initial step is to determine preferred program elements such as funding options, technology solutions and delivery models. Results of the market sounding will determine what procurement approach is required, a possible start date for installations and a timeframe for delivery across the state. A decision regarding the potential program is expected in the second half of 2017.’ I’m wondering if this decision has actually been made as yet? The installations refer to solar and energy efficient systems. This is the first hurdle because installing air conditioning is one thing but the greatest expense would be the ongoing running cost to power the cooling systems. These things take time, especially when it involves government departments, right? So for schools unable to afford solar panels and in turn, air conditioning by their school’s P & C, it is still a waiting game. What can school communities do? Participate in your local school’s community. Get involved in your school’s P & C to help make decisions that will benefit your children and help raise much needed funds. Email your local member of parliament or Hon Grace Grace, Minister for Education or better still Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP who can be messaged via an online contact form. Sign this petition. Still waiting...........