The issue of crumbling concrete in schools across England has garnered significant attention, with over 100 schools facing either full or partial closures before the start of the term. In response to this crisis, Schools Minister Nick Gibb and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan have made statements defending their actions and the Department for Education’s (DfE) efforts.
Education Minister’s Remarks Schools Minister Nick Gibb defended the DfE’s response to the crumbling concrete crisis, describing it as “world-leading.” He highlighted the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety of children in schools, particularly in cases involving reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). While acknowledging the closure of over 100 schools, he emphasized the extensive work done by the DfE in identifying and addressing the issue.
Education Secretary’s Frustration Education Secretary Gillian Keegan expressed frustration at the lack of recognition for the DfE’s efforts, using strong language in a candid moment caught on camera. She voiced her frustration with those who had not taken action, stating that some had “sat on their arse and done nothing.” Despite her initial comments, she later apologized for the language used.
DfE’s World-Leading Efforts Minister Nick Gibb defended Education Secretary Keegan’s frustration, explaining that it was an attempt to emphasize the significant work undertaken by the DfE. He pointed out that the DfE had identified Raac in a small number of schools out of a total of 22,500. Surveys had been conducted since March the previous year to identify Raac, and the decision to close schools was made to prioritize children’s safety.
Maintenance Challenges The head of the National Audit Office, Gareth Davies, criticized the government for its approach to essential maintenance. He argued that there had been insufficient focus on crucial tasks like maintaining public buildings, leading to underinvestment. This highlights the broader challenges in infrastructure maintenance beyond the immediate crisis.
Prime Minister’s Acknowledgment Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted that hundreds more schools could be affected by problematic Raac. While stating that 95% of schools in England were unaffected, he left open the possibility that over a thousand schools might still face the risk of collapse due to the material. Downing Street clarified that the total number of affected schools was expected to be in the hundreds rather than the thousands.
Former Official’s Accusations A former top official at the Department for Education accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of declining a funding request to rebuild more schools during his tenure. This accusation underscores the financial challenges and decisions related to school infrastructure in the context of the concrete crisis.
