September 5th 2023.
More than 100 schools, nurseries, and colleges in England have been told to close classrooms and other buildings containing a type of aerated concrete that is prone to collapse. Schools Minister Nick Gibb has declared the response to this crisis as “world-leading”. Despite this, the schools affected won’t be able to open just days before the start of term.
Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, expressed her frustration that nobody was recognizing the “good job” her department was doing. Mr. Gibb then clarified her remarks on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He explained that the Department for Education had been doing all it could to ensure children were safe from the risk posed by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC.
He stated that although this affects a small number of schools amongst the 22,500 in England, surveys have been conducted since March 2020 to identify the locations of RAAC. After new evidence emerged, a difficult decision was made last Thursday to keep children safe.
Mr. Gibb is confident that the affected schools will be made safe quickly, and that disruption to lessons will be limited to a few days rather than weeks. He praised the department’s efforts in this matter, emphasizing the priority of keeping children safe.
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