THE Gympie Times story asking whether or not air-conditioning should be a mandatory part of our classrooms drew a passionate response from our readers.

In the aftermath of a blistering heatwave last weekend, locals are more aware than ever of staying cool and hydrated.

Children, after all, are one of the most susceptible demographics to suffer heatstroke and fatigue.

"Sometimes it's not just the about the temperature, the humidity can be horrible too,” said Julie Munro-Gilliland.

"It should be compulsory - just because we didn't have it as kids doesn't mean we shouldn't have it for our own kids.”

Apart from the occasional aside that our kids were 'too soft' the sentiment was shared by many parents, noting the difference in learning environments between classrooms and schools that had air-conditioning, and those who didn't.

"My kids go to Cooloola Christian College and it's completely air-conditioned,” Wendy Knight-Oliver said.

"It makes such a difference in the afternoon when it can often be too hot to focus.”

"How are children supposed to concentrate on their work - and then they're distracted and then they're in trouble with their teachers,” Jenny Rigby added.

That schools in other states (i.e. states cooler than Queensland) have regular access to air-conditioning was a point of contention as well.

"A lot of schools in NSW are air-conditioned, kids concentrate a lot better if they're comfortable,” Vicki Callinan.

The health effects the heat can bring were also a major concern, with Ruth Griffin recounting an conversation at a Kawana shopping centre.

"She had to remove her child with heart problems as her school has no air-con,” she said.

"She's trying to move to a better school but she's not in the right catchment.”