England students are now forced to attend classes in churches and village halls after their school buildings closed down due to safety concerns.
It comes as the National Audit Office (NAO) report shows that various schools in England require significant repairs.
England Students Attend Classes in Churches, Village Halls
BEDFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: A pupil raises their hand as classes return to Gamlingay Village Primary on March 08, 2021 near Bedford, United Kingdom. The school, which is part of The Cam Academy Trust, has reopened its doors to pupils after months of homeschooling, due to a series of national lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic.
England students now find themselves attending classes in the most unexpected of venues. As per The Guardian, the crumbling school buildings prompted students to take their learning sessions in alternative spaces. Students across England are now attending classes in churches, village halls, and other temporary classrooms. Others are now taking their classes remotely online in the comforts of their homes.
The relocation of classes occurs as crumbling school buildings shut down due to alarming safety concerns. With structural integrity at risk and safety paramount, educators and local authorities are taking swift action to ensure an uninterrupted learning experience. Thus, students are continuing with their classes albeit the closure of school buildings.
Sometimes, the government closes down the entire school due to the unsafe structure, forcing hundreds of students to continue their classes in other locations, such as churches or nearby schools. Other pupils take their schooling home, much like they did amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Guardian notes that ministers revealed that they have already shuttered a total of 39 schools, either partially or fully, since 2019 due to unsafe buildings. Some of the structural issues include issues with the roofing and other general conditional problems.
Upon the freedom of information request by the Liberal Democrats, the location of the closed schools is now available, as well as the number of affected students.
A Hertfordshire school reportedly closed its building permanently last February 2022. The classes have resumed in a church hall and other neighboring schools, allowing select students to continue attending their learning sessions.
Read Also: Bank of England Warns of Historic Recession But Still Imposes Largest Rate Increase in 33 Years
Unsafe School Buildings in England
BEDFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: Year six students listen to their teacher Ishka Trace-Kleeberg as classes return to Gamlingay Village Primary on March 08, 2021 near Bedford, United Kingdom.
According to Sky News, the National Audit Office sheds light on the alarming condition of thousands of school buildings across England. The watchdog report stresses that roughly 700,000 students attend classes in buildings requiring major repairs. The Office blames the years of neglect due to underfunding.
The public spending watchdog further pointed out that some buildings could devastate, causing death and injuries. The National Audit Office notes that the Department for Education "has not been able to reduce the risk."
BBC reports that Oakfield Schools Federation executive headteacher Kate Chisholm says their buildings are all glass-facing. With that, her students grappled with hot temperatures hitting 32 Celsius. She notes, "It becomes very sweltering and very difficult to concentrate."
Related Article: UK Records Hottest Day of the Year, Surges at 32.2C
