RAAC Crisis Grows: 40 More Schools in the Danger Zone
The Department for Education has revealed a shocking update: an extra 40 schools and colleges have been found with risky reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). The total now stands at 214 institutions at risk of collapse as of Monday.
Most Students Still in Class, But Hybrid Learning Grows
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan urged calm, saying 94% of pupils in affected schools are still getting full-time, face-to-face teaching thanks to “hard work of school leaders.” But she admitted 12 schools have resorted to hybrid learning, mixing in-person and remote lessons to cope with the crisis.
Unions and Opposition Lash Out at Government
The National Education Union slammed the government for quietly dropping the latest numbers. They warned the RAAC nightmare is far from over. Labour’s shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, piled on the pressure, branding the ongoing saga “yet more evidence of chaos from a Tory government that has no grip on the extent of crumbling school buildings.”
Meanwhile, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) highlighted the real-world headaches. NAHT’s Paul Whiteman pointed to delays in temporary classroom setups and uncertainty over rebuilding plans. He warned communities, school income, and facilities are all taking a hit as schools scramble to manage the fallout.
RAAC Scandal: A Crisis Months in the Making
The RAAC mess first erupted at the start of the school year, triggering closures and delays nationwide. The government warned more schools might be at risk and pushed school leaders to send in building surveys. But Education Secretary Keegan faced bitter criticism, especially after a controversial video leaked showing her griping about the lack of credit for government efforts.
The RAAC debacle continues to cast a long shadow over UK education as parents, teachers, and pupils wait for real solutions.
