The UK government has announced the immediate closure of 104 schools built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) due to structural safety concerns. The decision adds to the 50 closures that have already taken place this year. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said a total of 156 schools have been identified as containing the potentially dangerous material.
Surveyors will be sent to assess the 104 schools, and temporary measures will include relocating children within schools and supporting certain structures. Schools concerned about the presence of the RAAC are advised to contact the Department for Education (DfE), which states that most institutions will not be affected.
The Labor party has criticized the move as a “stunning display of Tory incompetence”, especially given the timing just before the start of a new term. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said the revelation highlighted the impact of years of inadequate funding on school infrastructure.
The closures come amid broader concerns about the use of RAAC in public buildings. In 2018, a roof collapse at a school in Kent drew attention to the risks associated with this material. Recently, Health Secretary Steve Barclay fast-tracked some hospitals into the government’s construction program because of the same concerns.
Kevin Bentley, senior vice president of the Local Government Association, called for a task force and additional funding to address the issue. Meanwhile, questions have also been raised about the safety of UK hospitals made with RAAC, with five new sites being prioritized for the government’s rebuilding programmes.
This article is sourced from and written by AI.
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