Fort Norman (Oct 06/03) - To add to the growing list of problems at Chief Albert Wright school in Tulita, principal Wayne Dawe says the school's ventilation system is so bad windows and doors have to be propped open to limit heat fatigue among staff and students.

"It's to a point here where the kids are lethargic, they slow down at the end of the day, their (school) periods are slowed down before lunch before they get some fresh air," said Dawe.

"It's very noticeable. It effects the staff."

It was an unseasonable 20 C in Tulita on Friday when Dawe spoke with News/North, but no matter he said it's just as hot in the school when the thermometer outside drops down to 0 C.

The problem, he said, is with the thermostat on the school's boiler heater. Once turned on, the temperature cannot be controlled.

Sitting at his desk with an electric fan blowing behind him, the thermostat in his office read 26.6 C -- more than five degrees above normal room temperature.

"I've got every door open, I got on a fan on my bookcase," said Dave. "I don't have to go South for anything."

Last spring, the public works department passed on a report to ECE, saying that, among other problems, the school's ventilation system wasn't working properly. Nonetheless, they thought the school's ventilation system was good for another five years.

Sue Glowach, ECE's manager of public affairs, insisted that the department was working to remedy the situation.

"I think it's suffice to say that the report identified work that needs to be accomplished, and ECE has done that," said Glowach. "It's something that's presently being done."

But that's news to Dawe. When the school was closed for a week at the start of the school year last month, he said it was for exterior work only.

"There's been nobody here (to fix the ventilation system) in this building since I came here in August," said Dawe.

Last month, outgoing Premier Stephen Kakfwi told the community that the government is committed to building a new school but no timetable has been set yet.