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UK PM Rishi Sunak faces scrutiny over school safety

Amid concerns about the safety of schools in the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced criticism for his handling of a school refurbishment program. The controversy revolves around the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the construction of 104 schools and colleges, which has raised fears of structural issues.

At the beginning of the new term in England, the Department for Education issued a directive ordering the closure of 104 schools and classrooms due to the risk of structural collapse associated with RAAC. This sudden move left teachers scrambling to find alternative spaces to accommodate thousands of students.

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Funding dispute and claims of neglect

Rishi Sunak faced accusations that he cut funding for school rebuilding despite being aware of the structural risks. Former top official Jonathan Slater, a senior civil servant at the Department for Education, alleged that Sunak, while serving as finance minister, had shelved funding requests for additional school rebuilding projects. Slater argued that the department needed to replace up to 400 schools annually, but funding was only secured for 100 in 2021 when Sunak was chancellor. Sunak vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the funding numbers aligned with long-standing policy.

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Extent of the problem and growing concerns

Sunak downplayed the severity of the issue, pointing out that the majority of English schools, around 95 percent, remained unaffected by the problem associated with RAAC. However, this could still leave hundreds of schools at risk. Additionally, concerns have emerged that other public buildings constructed during the same period, such as hospitals and courts, might also face similar structural challenges.

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Political fallout and government criticism

The school safety crisis has added to the challenges facing Sunak's Conservative government, which hopes to extend its 13-year rule in an upcoming general election. Critics have chastised the government for inadequate planning and for cutting funding to address the RAAC issue in the most affected schools. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan faced her own controversy when she was caught on camera using explicit language while discussing her handling of the problem. She later apologized for her remarks, attributing them to being "off the cuff" and "unnecessary."

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