Government officials in the UK are sounding the alarm that more schools in England may need to close after over 100 have been instructed to shut down just days before the start of the new academic year.
According to a report in The Guardian, the government has refrained from publicly disclosing the names of the 104 schools affected, citing the risk associated with RAAC concrete.
Key Developments
The UK Ministry of Education stated that a minority of the educational facilities may have to completely relocate. Some students may have to revert to remote learning, as was the case during the pandemic lockdowns.
Official guidelines have been issued to schools, nurseries, and colleges, directing them to find emergency accommodations.
In an interview with GB News, Nick Gibb, a government official under Rishi Sunak, said that the problematic concrete material is found in 156 schools, and possibly more as surveys continue. New evidence has emerged over the summer concerning the structural safety of buildings in England, extending beyond just schools.
Concerns for Safety Over Convenience
Gibb added, “The decision is now being taken because over the summer, evidence emerged about buildings, not just schools, where RAAC concrete, previously considered non-critical, was failing over time.
We took a very strict decision over the summer, consulted experts, and followed a cautious approach because the safety of the children and staff in our schools is of paramount importance.”
The Ministry of Education is actively supporting over 156 schools in finding alternative locations for their students. Gibb acknowledged the frustration parents and children will feel but emphasized that safety is the top priority.
A Material Notorious for Structural Risks
According to the report, RAAC is a lightweight building material that was used from the 1950s until the mid-1990s but is now assessed as being at risk of collapse.
The immediate closure of over 100 schools in the UK raises critical questions about the state of the country’s education infrastructure. While the inconvenience caused is considerable, the government stands by its decision to prioritize safety above all else, as the ongoing surveys and evaluations continue to shed light on the extent of this burgeoning crisis.
The UK’s education system is facing an unprecedented challenge as over 100 schools have been warned to close their doors just days before the beginning of the school term. The cause? A specific type of concrete material known as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), now deemed unsafe for building structures.
