More than 19,000 pupils learning in crumbling schools

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today revealed that thousands of pupils across Scotland are at risk from schools with potentially deadly concrete, after new research by his party found that 19,322 pupils are currently on the roll at schools which have reported the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).    

At least 38 named schools have been found to contain the dangerous building material. The combined pupil roll of all 38 is 19,322.  

Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that RAAC is present in two dozen Scottish university and college buildings, as well as at least four health boards.      

Mr Cole-Hamilton has consistently called on the First Minister to set up a fund to support the removal of RAAC from buildings such as schools and hospitals.    

UK Schools minister Nick Gibb told the BBC’s Today Programme that “over the summer” the government discovered a number of instances where RAAC that had been deemed low risk “actually turned out to be unsafe,” including a beam which collapsed that had no external signs that it was a critical risk.    

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:      

“This new Scottish Liberal Democrat analysis shows that almost 20,000 pupils attend schools across Scotland that are now grappling with potentially deadly concrete.

“The news of the temporary closure of Forres Academy will worry many. With new evidence suggesting that even walls and panels previously deemed safe have still been found to collapse, the Scottish Government must urgently devise a proper plan of action and resolve this issue for good.

“It baffles me that the government can say it was aware of the problem, and yet no money has been set aside to deal with it.    

“The Scottish Government cannot kick the can down the road any longer. The Education Secretary should be meeting with education leaders to discuss a rescue plan and funding for remedial work which should begin immediately. Parents need to be able to send their children to school confident of their safety.”