Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a commitment to eliminate deteriorating concrete structures from all schools and colleges by the upcoming election. Despite the discovery of hazardous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in educational facilities across England two years ago, many children are still studying in affected buildings.
A report by the Mirror in 2023 revealed that nearly 100 educational settings were instructed to close affected buildings immediately unless safety measures were implemented. Following three roof collapses in 2023, the government allocated funding to address the issue but the removal process is still in progress.
In an article for the Mirror, Phillipson emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities for all students, condemning the state of schools with crumbling concrete structures supported by steel props. She criticized the current government’s neglect in education and highlighted the Labour party’s commitment to rectifying the situation.
Phillipson outlined a plan to ensure that by the end of the current Parliament term, all schools and colleges in England not undergoing substantial reconstruction will be free of RAAC. Additionally, ongoing projects for school reconstruction will be accelerated. The goal is to offer students modern and safe learning environments.
Out of approximately 22,000 schools and colleges in England, 237 were identified to have deteriorating concrete structures, with 62 having already undergone permanent removal of RAAC. The Department for Education confirmed this progress today.