Work on the $630,000 project started just days before Christmas and is expected to be completed in March next year and will provide students with new science facilities.

The outdated science labs, which were reported not to have been significantly improved since being built, had been been the focus of a campaign to have them overhauled.

Photos distributed across Twitter, which were later taken down, showed a science lab at the high school, with tables rotting and old and mismatching chairs, as well as paint chips across benches and tables. 

The classrooms were criticised for not having fume hoods to evacuate gas leaks, eyewash stations or safety showers.

Two years ago, an online petition was started in a bid to have the classrooms – some of which date back to the 1950s – improved, particularly with an increasing focus in schools on teaching STEM subjects.

Petition creator Gemma Sutherland, a former Cootamundra High student, told the Cootamundra Herald at the time that the laboratories remained the same as when she used them.

These issues existed despite figures from the Department of Education showing more than $1 million has been spent on maintenance at the high school in the past five years.

In the latter half of 2018, opposition spokesman for education Jihad Dib was critical of the labs.

“These classrooms are not meeting the 21st century education spaces and won’t allow students to become inspired in learning,” Mr Dib said at the time.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke had also been pushing for improvements, which have now begun.

“I’m delighted this much-needed upgrade is now under way and that we can provide our local students with the facilities they deserve for a great education,” Ms Cooke said.

“The new labs will do a much better job of supporting teachers and students who love science and I’m thrilled that students will be able to benefit from these terrific new labs from early next year.

“Since my election last year the state of the labs here has been at the top of my agenda and I’m very pleased and proud to see this upgrade being delivered.

“While students enjoy the holidays, their science facilities will be being transformed.”

Education Minister Rob Stokes said Cootamundra High has an allocation of more than $368,000 for maintenance in 2018-19.