Singapore Parents Demand Air-Conditioned Classrooms as Haze Worsens

Parents in Singapore are urging the government to install air conditioning in all classrooms as thick haze from Indonesian forest fires pushes air pollution to unhealthy levels. The pollutant standards index (PSI) has climbed above 200 in some areas, a level considered very unhealthy. One mother, Pang, told This Week in Asia that her Primary 4 daughter already suffers from bad sinus problems, and the haze has made her eyes water. She wants to keep her daughter home, but exams are underway, so the child must stay in a hot, stuffy classroom without air conditioning.

An opposition MP who has long campaigned for air-conditioned classrooms says the haze makes his proposal more urgent than ever. He argues that children are especially vulnerable to air pollution and that cooling and filtering the air in schools is a basic health measure, not a luxury. The government has so far resisted universal air conditioning, citing cost and environmental concerns, but the current crisis is putting pressure on officials to act.

For families, the issue is personal. Parents worry about their children's health and want schools to provide a safe environment. The haze season, which occurs almost every year, forces many to keep kids indoors and use air purifiers at home. But in schools without air conditioning, children are exposed for hours. The debate highlights a growing tension between public health and budget constraints.

While no policy change has been announced, the calls are getting louder. If the government responds, it could mean cooler, cleaner classrooms for thousands of students—and fewer sick days. But until then, parents like Pang are left hoping for rain to clear the air, and for officials to listen.