This would be part of Labor’s $300 million Cool Schools policy which would add to the $500 million budgeted by the Berejiklian government for improved learning environments.

Labor will immediately conduct an audit of all the state’s more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools to give priority to schools with the hottest temperatures first.

Young often has maximum temperatures in the 30s, but temperatures can go as high as 40 degree Celsius at the height of summer. 

Labor leader Luke Foley said it was the “Labor way” to build essential public services “for everyone.”

Labor spokesman for Cootamundra Charlie Sheahan said Labor is committed to greater investment into education to provide the best learning environments and conditions for NSW children.

“Air-conditioning today is affordable and there should be no argument to suggest that our kids should have to go without,” he said.

“A future Labor government will ensure every classroom in Young and the entire Cootamundra electorate will be air-conditioned. The present LNP government has failed to do this and neglected the states schools’ maintenance programme, which has been on hold for years.”

Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke said in opposition, Labor was full of grand election promises for Young, but questioned if they could deliver.

“When Labor was in government, just 50 per cent of schools had air conditioning. We’ve improved on that poor legacy and air-conditioned two-thirds of NSW schools,” she said. “The NSW Government has budgeted $500 million to provide reverse cycle air conditioning to up to 1,000 public schools, incorporating proper ventilation powered by solar panels. 

“Labor committed just $214 million for maintenance in its final four years of government, less than a third of what we have committed. History speaks for itself.”