Gillian Keegan accused of opening 'Pandora's box' over school closures

Gillian Keegan pictured questioning the Prime Minister Photo: AFP

Gillian Keegan was forced to defend her «overcaution» RAAC approach to concrete in schools on Wednesday after he was accused of opening a «Pandora's box».

The Minister of Education faced private criticism from some quarters in Whitehall over the decision to order the closure of affected schools last week . .

Ms. Keegan chose the most cautious option when asked about what to do about schools at risk from autoclaved foam concrete, known by its acronym RAAC.

This one the move provoked a rush from other government departments and public bodies to provide updates on the situation in hospitals, military buildings and even parliament.

But debate began about whether Ms Keegan was right to take such steps: A government minister told Sky News that she had opened a «Pandora's box».

A senior government source in one of the departments that pressure is now being exerted to clarify the risk of RAAC, The Telegraph told The Telegraph that the criticism is in line with sentiment in Whitehall.

However, speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Keegan, who was caught swearing after in a televised interview caught on microphone on Monday, she defended her approach.

Ms. Keegan said, «We're being very careful — the decision I've made is very careful to make sure we are surveying all schools as quickly as possible.»

Downing Street also backed Ms Keegan, with a spokesman for the Prime Minister saying «the public expects us to act safely in our minds.»

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Immediately before Rishi Sunak appeared on the Prime Minister's Questions, the government finally released a list of about 150 schools with potentially dangerous concrete pavement.

Dozens of schools have moved to remote control. according to information released by the Department of Education (DfE), or were forced to postpone the start of the school year.

Four schools have completely switched to distance learning, and another 20 schools have partially switched to distance learning. distance learning.

As you can see from the list, about 19 schools were forced to postpone the start of the school year.