Fears that asbestos problems will be worse at free schools

摘要

The growth of free schools and academies could expose teachers and pupils to health risks from poor asbestos management, unless the Government provides better training on the matter for governors and teachers. This is the warning from Michael Lees of the Asbestos in Schools campaign, who claims that a Department for Education (DfE) website aimed at addressing a lack of training and awareness of asbestos in schools is beset by a funding crisis before it has even taken off. Lees - who also sits on the DfE's Asbestos in Schools Steering Croup - says the new training facility, which is expected to be launched soon, is a good move "but needs to be properly funded". He also wants it to be mandatory for school governors and head teachers to be trained in asbestos management and wants more resources deployed to raise awareness of asbestos among all teachers and school staff.