Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to announce a commitment to remove deteriorating concrete from all schools and colleges before the upcoming election. Despite the discovery of hazardous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in school buildings across England two years ago, many children are still studying in these compromised structures.
The Mirror reported in 2023 that authorities had contacted approximately 100 educational facilities before the autumn term to instruct them to close affected buildings immediately if safety measures were not in place. Following three roof collapses in 2023 due to the problematic material, the government allocated funds to address the issue, but the process of eliminating RAAC from schools is still in progress.
In a statement for the Mirror, Phillipson emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities for all students across the country. She highlighted the urgent need to address the deteriorating conditions in schools, describing classrooms with unsafe concrete structures supported by steel props and dilapidated environments that undermine students’ sense of value.
Phillipson, speaking on behalf of the Labour Party, outlined the plan to rectify the situation by ensuring that by the end of the current parliamentary term, every school and college in England not undergoing substantial reconstruction will be free of RAAC. Projects aimed at rebuilding schools will be actively progressing to meet the set targets.
The goal is to create an environment where every child entering a school sees potential rather than decay. The focus is on national rejuvenation through providing students with classrooms they can take pride in. Out of around 22,000 schools and colleges in England, 237 were found to have deteriorating concrete, with 62 already having the RAAC permanently removed, as confirmed by the Department for Education today.
