I have always believed that my role is the most fulfilling in government. It allows me to influence the lives of young individuals and provide them with the promising futures they deserve.
As the Education Secretary, I am a firm believer that one’s background should not dictate their destiny. The opportunities one attains should not be limited by their address or their parents’ financial status. Every child, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to equal opportunities in every school across the nation.
Unfortunately, upon visiting many schools today, one can witness the physical decay of opportunity. Dilapidated structures with crumbling walls and ceilings supported by steel beams, run-down classrooms that send a message to children that they are not valued. This is the educational legacy left by the current administration.
Rectifying this situation will be a priority for the Labour Party. That is why today, I am outlining our detailed plan to address these issues.
By the conclusion of this term, every school and college in England that is not undergoing substantial reconstruction will be free of hazardous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). For those schools requiring rebuilding, every project will be in progress at various stages of completion.
This initiative aims to ensure that every child learns in a safe environment, in classrooms that are suitable for their educational needs, and to convey to every child that they are valued. Progress is already underway, with RAAC being removed from 62 schools, providing over 42,000 children with secure classrooms free of unsafe concrete overhead. Additionally, over half of the schools needing extensive reconstruction are already in the process of being rebuilt.
We are committed to fulfilling Labour’s vision for our children because this endeavor transcends mere infrastructure; it impacts the life prospects of our youth.
Studies indicate that children learning in substandard facilities tend to perform poorly academically. The condition of schools not only affects academic achievement but also sends a signal to students even before the lesson begins.
Children perceive that they are not sufficiently valued by adults to be kept safe, that their education is not a priority, and that they are not worthy of investment. It is crucial, especially for disadvantaged children, those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and those marginalized by the system, to feel that school is a welcoming environment for them.
After years of neglect, our substantial £38 billion capital investment in education is pivotal in demonstrating to children that they are valued, their education matters, and that our nation is invested in their future.
Earlier this year, we introduced a 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy to provide schools with unprecedented certainty. Funding for school maintenance will increase to nearly £3 billion annually until 2034-35.
In addition to rebuilding 250 more schools in addition to the existing 500 in our program, these new structures will be designed for the future – operating with net-zero carbon emissions, resilient against climate change, and offering more access to natural surroundings.
Quality education cannot be provided in substandard structures. Opportunity cannot be effectively offered when the physical environment is deteriorating. It is impossible to instill a sense of limitless ambition in children when the literal ceiling above them is collapsing.
Our children are the future engineers, artists, doctors, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and educators. They deserve educational facilities that align with our aspirations for them – schools that are once again the pride of our nation and the foundation of our communities.
Every child entering a school should see potential, not peeling paint. This is our strategy for national rejuvenation in action – a government that values children enough to provide them with classrooms they can take pride in.