Climate scientist at the University of the West Indies, Mona Professor Michael Taylor says it is an unfair ask to expect students to perform in classrooms that are not conducive to a cool environment.

He put forward the argument during yesterday’s sitting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee.

Professor Taylor, who was delivering a presentation on climate change and its implications for Jamaica, posited that the Education Industry was among several sectors generally overlooked when the impacts of climate change are explored.

He pointed to last year’s record global temperatures and how heat conditions hinder the learning process in classrooms.

Noting that rehabilitative works are being undertaken at several schools, Professor Taylor called for these works to include changes that consider the impact of heat.

Professor Taylor’s sentiment was echoed by Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development at the university, Dr. David Smith who stressed the need for air conditioning units to be installed in classrooms.