NEWS: 90% of Schools Still Waiting: RAAC Delays

As reported by The Independent, over a year after the RAAC concrete scandal broke, most affected schools remain in limbo, with repairs possibly taking up to five years, sparking fresh criticism

More than a year since the RAAC scandal emerged, nearly 90 percent of schools receiving government support to remove dangerous concrete have not had work carried out, reports reveal.

Labour education minister Stephen Morgan has also admitted that it could take up to five years to fix the nationwide problem, which has left thousands of pupils being taught in temporary classrooms.

Latest figures show at least 232 schools are to get help through government money after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found amid the national scandal last autumn.

The 232 schools include 110 receiving grant funding to take out the concrete, while 122 are having one or more impacted buildings rebuilt or refurbished under the government’s school rebuilding programme.

But the rebuilding programme could also take three to five years to complete, said Mr Morgan in response to a parliamentary question submitted by the Liberal Democrats.

It means that nearly nine in ten schools are waiting to have RAAC removed through government funding.

Lib Dem education spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Thousands of children are studying in dangerous schools or inadequate temporary buildings, with the timeline for repair stretching on for years. This generation of young people saw unprecedented disruption to their education under Covid so that 90 percent of schools are yet to see action to remove RAAC is deeply concerning.”

Outside the 232 schools to get financial support to tackle the issue, a further five are pursuing alternative plans such as disusing impacted buildings, according to a government fact sheet issued in August.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Driving high and rising school standards is at the heart of our mission to improve children’s life chances, and high-quality and sustainable buildings are a key part of that.

For too long our school estate has been neglected – but this government is now gripping the issue, ensuring our schools are fit for the future. That’s why, despite having to take difficult decisions at the Budget to fix the foundations, we are increasing investment next year to £2.1bn to improve the condition of school buildings, and will be starting work on another 100 projects under the School Rebuilding Programme next year.

Targeted funding is being provided to schools affected by RAAC to resolve issues and help ensure the safety of all children, including supporting them with temporary provision so every child has a suitable education.”