Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to announce a commitment to removing deteriorating concrete from all schools and colleges before the upcoming election.
Despite the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in schools across England two years ago, many children are still studying in buildings containing the hazardous material.
In 2023, around 100 educational institutions were warned to close affected structures immediately if safety measures were not in place, as reported by the Mirror.
Following three roof collapses caused by the material in 2023, the government promised funds to eliminate it, but the process is ongoing.
In her statement in the Mirror, Phillipson emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities for all students, highlighting the urgent need to address the crumbling infrastructure in schools.
She pointed out the deteriorating conditions of many schools, stressing the need to rectify the situation, attributing the problem to the previous government’s neglect in the education sector.
Phillipson outlined the plan to ensure that every school and college in England, not undergoing full or substantial reconstruction, will be free of RAAC by the end of the current parliamentary term.
For those institutions requiring reconstruction, all projects will be in progress by then, aiming to create a conducive learning environment for students.
The focus is on providing students with inspiring and safe classrooms, reflecting the commitment to national rejuvenation through improved educational infrastructure.
Out of approximately 22,000 schools and colleges in England, 237 were found to have deteriorating concrete, with 62 having already had RAAC removed permanently, according to the Department for Education.