England orders more than 100 schools to close buildings over faulty concrete
The Department of Education in England has taken the decision to order the closure of more than 100 schools just days before the start of the new school year due to concerns about the safety of the concrete used in the construction of these buildings. The issue regarding the use of unsafe concrete has been a known concern for several years, and schools were advised to be prepared for possible evacuation if the need arose.
In total, 156 schools were identified as having buildings constructed with lightweight material, specifically reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). RAAC is a lightweight concrete material that was commonly used between the 1950s and mid-1990s but is known to be prone to crumbling over time, raising serious safety concerns.
Out of the 156 schools with RAAC in their buildings, 52 had implemented safety measures to mitigate the risks associated with this material. However, given the ongoing concerns and safety considerations, 104 schools have now been directed to close the affected buildings. This decision prioritizes the safety of students and staff and underscores the importance of addressing potential structural risks in educational facilities.
The government in England is actively working on finding individual solutions in collaboration with local authorities to address the closure of more than 100 schools due to concerns about the safety of concrete used in their construction. These solutions include utilizing alternative buildings, sharing space with other institutions, setting up temporary structures, and even implementing online classes to ensure the continuity of education.
England’s Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, emphasized the government’s commitment to vigilance regarding the safety of students and staff. She reassured that the government is taking these measures to prioritize the well-being of everyone involved, stating, “The government is working hard to make sure any disruption to education is kept to a minimum, and it will fund the repairs.”
When questioned about the timing of the government’s action, Keegan emphasized that the safety of children and staff in schools and colleges is of utmost importance. She highlighted the need for a cautious approach, as it is the responsible course of action to protect both pupils and staff members from potential risks associated with the structural integrity of the school buildings. This proactive approach underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment for students and a secure working environment for educators.
The concerns about the safety of concrete materials in school buildings in England have been brewing for several years. In 2018, an elementary school in southeastern England experienced a roof collapse attributed to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). This incident raised alarm bells about the use of such materials in other schools.
In 2019, another safety alert further drew attention to these issues, with education unions calling for the government’s intervention and action to address structural safety concerns in school buildings.
A significant development came in July when the National Audit Office released a report on the sustainability of school buildings across England. The report highlighted that a staggering 700,000 pupils were learning in schools that required major rebuilding or refurbishment. Furthermore, it pointed out that, since 2021, the Department for Education had assessed the risk of school building failure or collapse as critical and very likely, but it had been unable to reduce this risk.
These findings underscore the magnitude of the challenge and the pressing need for comprehensive measures to ensure the structural integrity and safety of school buildings in England, ultimately prioritizing the well-being of students and staff.
The Department for Education, in a statement on August 31, stated that they have been actively monitoring confirmed cases related to concrete safety concerns in school buildings. They advised that the vast majority of schools were unaffected, and children should attend classes as usual when the new school year begins in September unless parents are directly notified otherwise.
However, there are speculations and claims that the concrete safety risks have been known for some time. Opposition Labour lawmaker, Bridget Phillipson, has asserted that the government had prior knowledge of these risks but waited until now to inform schools of the closures, thereby disrupting children’s education. She emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Education Secretary to inform parents about the number of affected schools and to provide reassurance about the safety of their children while attending school.
In England, schools are primarily run and maintained by local authorities, while the Department for Education oversees the broader educational system. According to government figures, there are approximately 21,600 state schools in England, educating 8.4 million students. Therefore, the number of schools affected by the closures due to concrete safety concerns is relatively small in comparison to the total number of schools.
These closures have the potential to be disruptive, particularly as the school year is scheduled to begin next week for most children. While the government has allocated additional funding for education, providing an extra £7.1 billion for schools in England until the end of 2023 and increasing spending per pupil, it’s important to note that school funding had decreased by 9 percent between 2009-2019 and 2019-2020, as estimated by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Rising costs have had a significant impact on the decrease in school funding in recent years. As a result, spending per pupil remains 1 to 2 percent lower than it was in 2009-2010, underscoring the financial challenges faced by schools despite the recent increase in funding. These financial constraints add complexity to the task of addressing safety concerns and ensuring the well-being of students and staff in schools across England.
Daniel Kebede, the General Secretary of the National Education Union, expressed serious concerns about the closures of school buildings, highlighting the significant disruption they would cause to the education of thousands of children and the inconvenience faced by school leaders.
Kebede described the situation as “absolutely disgraceful” and attributed it to what he deemed “gross government incompetence.” He emphasized the timing of the announcement, which came just days before the start of the new term, and the fact that 104 schools had to discover that some or all of their buildings were unsafe and could not be used. This underscores the urgency of addressing safety concerns and ensuring that educational facilities are safe and suitable for students and staff.
