Education chiefs are being urged to apply for a share of a £5million cashpot to improve school ventilation – after concerns were raised.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that money will be available to upgrade systems in schools and nurseries across the country.
It comes weeks after Labour councillor John Mooney hit out over advice to ensure safe airflow by opening classroom windows.
He said pupils were finding classrooms too cold during the chilly winter months.
In December, West Dunbartonshire councillors agreed a motion calling on officers to explore the effectiveness of the current school ventilation systems and the cost of improving them.
Now Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer is urging West Dunbartonshire Council to apply for a share of the government cash.
He said: “I’m pleased that the additional funding for school ventilation first proposed by the Greens has now been approved.
“Teachers and support staff contact me every day with concerns about the risk of omicron in their classrooms.
“Many need options to improve ventilation beyond opening windows, which is particularly challenging in poorly heated buildings and on cold winter days, so I’d urge West Dunbartonshire to apply for a share of this funding.
“Whilst CO2 monitoring appears to show that most classrooms are sufficiently ventilated, a number clearly require additional measures to be put in place to mitigate against the increased transmission risk.”
Councillor Mooney previously said ventilation systems should have been upgraded while schools were closed, commenting: “It is impossible to learn if children are too cold and the SNP failure to provide any kind of sustainable ventilation strategy other than put on a jumper and open up the windows is not a credible approach.”
The council received 1,560 carbon dioxide monitors last year, which check how well spaces are ventilated.
Officers are preparing a report on councillors’ request to explore options for improvements.
A council spokeswoman said: “We welcome the additional funding and are awaiting confirmation from the Scottish Government of the process for accessing this.”
