The Department for Education has released a statement giving an insight into how it plans to keep classrooms well ventilated when school returns next week.
The Department said it closely examined available options to ensure education facilities were as well ventilated and safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Both national and international research indicates that maximising natural ventilation through opening windows and doors and/or using mechanical ventilation systems, is the main and most effective contributor to improving air quality to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection,” the Department said.
It said it had looked closely at the use of air purifiers in education settings.
“We commissioned an independent trial that identified air purifiers do not reduce the amount of CO2 within education spaces in any meaningful way and provide minimal improvement to the quality of the air,” it said.
“As a result, we have taken the decision not to deploy air purifiers to every classroom, staff room and learning space across the State.”
It said SA Health advice supported its position and confirmed that natural ventilation was most effective.
The Department said it had been working closely with preschools and schools to identify where natural ventilation could be improved, such as fixing windows that should open but don’t, and undertaking those works.
“We have also been assessing existing air-conditioning systems and we are making adjustments to maximise the flow of fresh air,” it said.
It said advice was clear that ventilation was only one of a number of risk mitigation measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
“It works best with other controls including good hygiene practices, cleaning, vaccination and the use of outdoor learning environments where appropriate,” the Department said.
