Over 100 schools in UK ordered to close over faulty concrete, safety concerns raised

The closure of over 100 schools and colleges in the UK due to concerns over deteriorating lightweight concrete has raised worries among parents and educators. However, according to a report from The Independent, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has assured the public that these closures do not signal a return to the challenging days of school lockdowns experienced during the pandemic.

The closures were prompted by the Department for Education's directive to fully or partially shut school buildings after it was discovered that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) had failed. This decision followed the collapse of a beam in a school building last week, sparking concerns about the structural integrity of other buildings using similar materials.

Necessary measures?

Schools Minister Nick Gibb acknowledged the possibility of additional closures as schools gear up for the new school year. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, Education Secretary Keegan emphasized that these measures were necessary after a "handful of cases" where Raac had failed, putting students and staff at risk.

Keegan explained, "We all have to make difficult decisions in life, and responsible government is about getting them right. That means looking at evidence and acting, even when the trade-offs are significant."

Only 52 schools affected, says Education Secretary 

She sought to ease parental concerns by stressing that the situation was not akin to the pandemic-related school lockdowns and was certainly not a return to prolonged remote learning. Keegan noted that home learning had been required only "for days, not weeks," and that this affected only a minority of the 52 schools and colleges that needed remediation work.

The Education Secretary also reassured parents that the "vast majority" of schools were unaffected by Raac-related issues. She explained that a minority of schools might need to relocate some or all of their students, possibly involving a short period of off-site learning or, as a last resort, remote learning. To support these schools, each was assigned a caseworker, and funding was allocated to cover immediate measures, such as temporary classrooms, ensuring that face-to-face education could continue.

While concerns persist about the structural safety of school buildings, Keegan's reassurance underscores the government's commitment to ensuring the safety and continuity of education for students across the UK. The situation is a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by education systems worldwide as they navigate various crises and adapt to changing circumstances.