September 3rd 2023.
Tens of thousands of children in England are in danger of being affected by the crumbling concrete crisis. Last week, more than 100 schools and colleges were ordered to partially or fully close their buildings. The cause of the closures is reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, which has caused safety risks.
The Department for Education has informed Parliament that Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will be keeping parents and the public updated on the situation. While disruption is expected to last for days, not weeks, Labour has proposed a plan to force the government to publish the extent to which RAAC is affecting public buildings.
Labour has also requested an urgent audit of the public sector estate to assess the impact of the material. The Department for Education has requested that affected schools be given time to inform parents and decide on their next steps before a list of schools is published.
The guidance published on Thursday by the Department for Education suggested that nearby schools, community centres, or empty office buildings be used in the first few weeks while structural supports are installed. Remote education should only be considered as a last resort and for a short period of time.
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