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Broken air conditioning is taking a toll at a school in Western Australia's far north. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
Students and teachers at a school in Western Australia's north are struggling through heat and humidity while waiting for air conditioning repairs.
An internal source at Broome North Primary School says it can take up to two months for the systems to be repaired.
Temperatures routinely reach the high 30s, alongside high humidity, throughout the Kimberley's months-long wet season.
Link copiedShareShare articleTeachers and students in Western Australia's far north are facing intense humidity and heat, with broken air conditioning in classrooms taking its toll.
An internal source at Broome North Primary School, who did not wish to be identified, said damaged systems could take up to two months to be repaired.
They said it was a consistent problem at the Kimberley school, where classrooms could reach temperatures towards 30 degrees Celsius.
"It's putting a lot of stress on teaching staff and students," they said.
Damaged air conditioning could take between a week and two months to be repaired, according to a source. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
Alongside other communities across northern Australia, Broome's wet season brings intense heat and humidity between November and April.
The average temperature hovers between 33C and 34C, while the average humidity sits close to 67 per cent.
The source said school staff did "everything possible" to keep temperatures down in classrooms if the air conditioning broke down, which included utilising fans and portable air conditioning.
"And opening internal doors to suck the air conditioning into classrooms that don't have any, but it is really warm in there," they said.
One classroom without functioning cooling systems had about 30 students, in addition to a teacher and education assistant, the source said.
The hot conditions were also putting a strain on special needs students.
"Thirty-two bodies in that classroom, it's very stressful for them," they said.
"All of those things impact on how they can regulate themselves, and how their day goes … it's not good enough."
The source said two systems were completely broken at the school, while multiple others worked inefficiently, particularly by midday and into the afternoon.
They said repairs could take anywhere from a week to two months for the air conditioning systems.
The source says a faulty part in the air conditioning systems was a regularly reported issue. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
"One of the air conditioning jobs has been outstanding since November last year," they said.
The source said a faulty part in the air conditioning systems was a known, regularly reported issue.
"If they could come through and replace this one particular part, it would save some time," they said.
A WA Department of Education spokesperson said since January 27 there had been "a small number of reports" of air conditioning issues at the school.
"These were logged directly through the appropriate processes," they said.
"Some of the required repairs are awaiting parts and material supply and will be completed as soon as possible.
"The department is committed to providing safe and fit-for-purpose learning environments for students and staff, which is why arrangements have been made for temporary air conditioning units to be provided to the school until the outstanding repairs have been completed."
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