Abu Dhabi: Parents of children at an Abu Dhabi private school have told Gulf News they are deeply concerned about the lack of airconditioning in classrooms and its subsequent negative effects on their children's wellbeing and health.

Although most agreed that the Our Own English High School provided a high-quality education, the intense heat students were exposed to during summer months was still a major concern to the students' parents.

"The classes are too crowded and [airconditioners] do not work properly. Even my child's nose-bleeding problem became much worse because of the heat," said Mrs Ahmad, 44, the mother of a student.

"This has been a recurring problem in this school.

"For over five years, every summer, we are faced with this issue.".

N.S., 48, whose son attends Our Own English High School said: "The school is academically reputable. However, having children sitting in classrooms in such conditions leads to many health problems for the children".

Pupils have also said the intense heat was causing them to lose focus and to feel fatigued.

Despite attempting to alleviate the condition by placing fans in classrooms, the situation remained intolerable, said a Grade 10 student who wished to remain anonymous.

"You always feel too sticky and too sweaty in class. It ruins your mood for studying, and you always feel like you are unable to concentrate," he said. Abu Dhabi's New Medical Centre Hospital Internal Medicine head Dr George Joseph said it was essential to have proper airconditioning in crowded spaces.

"People put out hot air, and if there is not enough circulation in a room, it can definitely affect students' performance and productivity," Dr Joseph said.

"The problem is that children will be exposed to heat both inside the classroom and outside, and the overall exposure to heat and humidity can lead them to experience problems such as allergies."

However the school denied there were faults with their cooling system.

"The [airconditioning] at OOEHS, Abu Dhabi is operating normally and we refute any claims that there have been recurring problems with the AC system every summer. Whenever there are minor problems, it is attended to immediately," said marketing and communications director Richard Forbes.

'We care'

Education Adviser to the Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), Yousuf Al Sheryani, said:

"Students are our top priority. ADEC shall never compromise when it comes to deal with any form of abuses be it academic, mental, physical, or psychological.

"ADEC sets minimum requirement standards that all schools should adhere to. Classrooms need to have certain aspects that allow the maintaining of a good delivery of instruction … "Good lighting, ventilation, and a properly working cooling system are the basic healthy physical class environment that ADEC will make sure of their availability."