Renewed calls to remove asbestos from school buildings

There have been renewed calls for the removal of asbestos from all school and college buildings.

Following the death of Sue Stephens, a Buckinghamshire based primary school teacher who died of the asbestos cancer mesothelioma on 26 June, her daughter wants the removal of all asbestos from schools to be her legacy.

Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC) has called on the government to take action and prioritise the removal of asbestos, which the National Union of teachers describes as a ‘scandal’.

It is believed that around 86 per cent of schools in England contain asbestos, putting the health of both teachers, support staff and children at risk.

John McClean, chair of JUAC and secretariat of the Asbestos in Schools group said: “Tragically there has been yet another death resulting from asbestos exposure in schools. The continuing presence of asbestos in so many of our schools is a disgrace. Effective government action to tackle this scourge is long overdue and our children and school staff deserve better.”

Kevin Courtney, NUT acting general secretary, said: “Yet another teacher's life has been tragically cut short by this dreadful, and entirely preventable, disease. Nothing can be done to put right past asbestos exposure, but we must do more to protect future generations of school children and staff. The government must now set out a long term strategy for the phased removal of asbestos from all schools.”

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “It's scandalous that every year teachers and support staff are dying from asbestos related illnesses because they have been exposed to asbestos in school. The government must listen and start a phased removal of all asbestos in schools so that no more children or teachers are exposed to asbestos and risk dying from this entirely preventable disease.”