The Education Minister, , has today announced new
capital funding of more than £12.5m to improve school and college
buildings throughout Wales.
The funding package will include £2.56m to cover the costs of
remedial works to all schools where reinforced autoclaved aerated
concrete (RAAC) has been identified.
A further £10m will be available for large scale capital
maintenance work focused on energy efficiency measures. This
includes replacing roofs, windows, heating and ventilation works
and electrical systems.
Five schools – Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi on
Ynys Môn; Ysgol Maes Owen in Conwy; Ysgol Trefnant in
Denbighshire and Eveswell Primary in Newport – have been
identified as being affected by RAAC, compared to more than 230
in England and 39 in Scotland. All Welsh schools are open to
pupils.
The Minister for Education and Welsh Language , said:
“The fact that so few cases of RAAC were identified in our
education estate is testament to the Welsh Government’s
investment in schools over many years, both through our
Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and more broadly.
“I want to make sure every learner can fulfil their potential,
and their education is delivered in environments that are fit for
purpose. The capital funding package I am announcing today will
enable local authorities and colleges to carry out maintenance
work to ensure the Welsh education estate is safe and efficient.”
Local authorities with schools affected by RAAC have welcomed the
£2.56m funding to cover the remedial costs.
Ynys Môn Leader, Councillor said:
“I would like to thank the Welsh Government for this much-needed
funding and its proactive support as we responded to the RAAC
emergency.
"These last few months have been very tough for our affected
schools - Ysgol Uwchardd Caergybi and Ysgol David Hughes, Menai
Bridge. Extensive remedial works have already been carried out to
ensure both schools were able to welcome all pupils back to their
buildings for face-to-face learning.
“I would like to thank the school staff, pupils and parents and
guardians for their patience, co-operation, and support during
what has been a very challenging period.
"More remedial works are needed and it is important these are
carried out as quickly as possible to ensure all areas within the
school buildings are safe to use. Welsh Government funding will
allow us to complete these works and meet other associated RAAC
costs, without having to use our own scarce reserve funding.”
Notes to editors
Sustainable Communities for Learning programme:
- The Welsh Government has increased the level of capital
funding available through the Sustainable Communities for
Learning programme to £850m for 2022-23 and 2024-25 – an increase
of 25% compared to the 2021-22 baseline. To date, more than
£2.35bn has been targeted towards new-build and major
refurbishment projects.
- Of the 1,463 state-maintained schools in Wales, more than 170
benefitted from this investment under the first wave of
investment and 200 schools and colleges are benefiting from the
current wave.
- Together with £203m invested in capital maintenance over the
last four years means local authorities and further education
institutions in Wales have been able to address key aspects of
maintenance to their schools and colleges.
RAAC
- RAAC was used in the construction of many buildings between
the 1950s and 1990s.
- UK Governments have been aware of some of the vulnerabilities
of RAAC since the 1990s and the Welsh Government has been working
with the UK Government and other devolved governments since 2018
in the management of RAAC.
- The five schools where RAAC has been identified at being
present are: Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi on
Ynys Môn, Ysgol Maes Owen in Conwy, Ysgol Trefnant in
Denbighshire, and Eveswell Primary in Newport.
- More information about RAAC is available at: Reinforced Autoclaved
Aerated Concrete (RAAC): frequently asked questions |
GOV.WALES
