The heat in northern Australian classrooms could impede learning

School students in northern Australia are regularly exposed to an extreme climate of environmental heat and intense humidity while learning. Being subjected to extreme and prolonged periods of heat has a myriad of negative effects – not only on students’ (and teachers’) health, but also on their functioning and ability to pay attention and learn. Research has reported that students in high temperatures can be listless, restless and fatigued, and that they complain about the heat and humidity.