SINGAPORE: In a social media post on Tuesday (Oct 13), Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (WP MP) Kenneth Tiong explained why he has been calling for air conditioning in Singapore’s classrooms, especially with the air quality in the unhealthy range because of haze.
The Aljunied MP noted that this has been going on for more than a week, pointing out that in nearby Johor, schools have been closed since Oct 8 and are not expected to reopen until after Oct 16.
He added that in Singapore, meanwhile, schools are operating as usual, although the Education Ministry has said it would consider suspending classes if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast is above 300 for the following day.
“So during the haze, we need to make sure we have real protections for the kids,” wrote Mr Tiong, a father of two. “If our schools are adequately equipped, we do not need to close them. Let's take care of the kids today.”
Calling himself a strong advocate for air conditioning in every classroom, Mr Tiong has raised the issue in Parliament twice, in September 2025 and in March of this year.
He clarified, however, that he does not mean air conditioners need to be kept on at all times, but that classrooms should’ve the option of controlling the microclimate in situations where conditions are poor.
“Today a school does not have that ability. Our classrooms are built for open windows and fans, so the air inside is the air outside. In the haze, the Government's plan is to keep students in ‘well-ventilated indoor enclosed spaces with air purifiers turned on’,” he wrote, adding that Singapore’s National Energy Agency has said that an air purifier may not be as effective in rooms where doors and windows remain open. Furthermore, when they are closed, it can get too hot, and fans provide no real help. At present, he wrote, schools cannot close classrooms and take the heat out.
Mr Tiong noted that in official haze plans, closed rooms are air-conditioned and children in preschools must stay in rooms with closed doors and windows, and fans or air conditioners switched on. He also cited the Education Ministry’s haze plan as saying that if a student feels unwell during school hours, they will be kept temporarily in an air-conditioned room with an air purifier.
The MP wrote: “I believe a child should not have to fall ill first. What makes a classroom different? A child of six in preschool is in a Primary 1 classroom a year later, in a class of up to 30. As far as I can tell, the only difference is the agency: ECDA for preschools, MOE for schools.”
In air-conditioned schools, rooms can be closed and stay cool, air kept clean, and be reopened when conditions are better, he added. /TISG