Australian parents call for support of Solar Our Schools

Australian Parents for Climate Action (AP4CA) has renewed calls for the federal government to prioritise funding for solar panels on every school and early childhood education centre in Australia, ahead of the deadline for public submissions for the next federal Budget.

AP4CA’s Pre-Budget Submission follows a petition where more than 11,000 parents called on the Prime Minister to Solar Our Schools, a policy that would have clear benefits for the climate, education outcomes, women and the economy.

“If every school in Australia had the money and ability to install enough solar and storage to be fully renewables-powered, they would save thousands of dollars that could be put towards teachers and better educational resources,” said Suzie Brown, National Director, AP4CA.

“Powering thousands of schools with solar would also reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and create thousands of solar jobs in communities across Australia.

“Solar Our Schools is a sensible and shovel-ready policy that benefits children and parents, workers and teachers, in a predominantly female profession. It’s a chance to fix oversights of the previous Budget which shunned renewable energy and support for women in favour of investment in male-dominated industries and tax cuts that favour men, and investment in coal and gas.

“Regardless of political affiliations, there is everything to gain by supporting this campaign and nothing to lose,” said Brown.

Deanna Hayes, a nurse and AP4CA member, said that climate change is the biggest threat to the health and wellbeing of children today and the biggest threat to a safe future.

“Thousands of Australian parents and teachers know that scaling up solar use in schools will have benefits inside the classroom and beyond. But many schools need help to overcome funding and regulatory challenges blocking their access to solar energy.

“If this federal government cares about children’s wellbeing, about improving our education system, helping women in the workforce and taking meaningful action on climate change, then supporting Solar Our Schools is a no-brainer,” said Hayes.

Image: Deanna Hayes delivers the Solar Our Schools petition.