Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a commitment to removing deteriorating concrete from all educational institutions before the upcoming election. Despite the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in schools across England two years ago, numerous students are still studying in affected buildings.
In 2023, it was disclosed that approximately 100 educational facilities were instructed to close affected structures immediately unless safety precautions were implemented. Following three roof collapses in the same year due to the hazardous material, the government allocated funds for its removal.
Despite these efforts, the removal process is ongoing. Phillipson emphasized in the Mirror that every child deserves equal opportunities, regardless of their location. She highlighted the urgent need to address the crumbling infrastructure in schools, criticizing the current government’s track record in education and promising that the Labour party will rectify the situation.
Phillipson outlined plans 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. For those requiring reconstruction, projects will be underway. The goal is to provide students with safe and inspiring learning environments to foster national renewal.
Out of approximately 22,000 schools and colleges in England, 237 were identified as having deteriorating concrete. The Department for Education confirmed that 62 of these institutions have successfully eliminated RAAC.
