A primary school in Llanelli has been forced to shut its doors indefinitely after dangerous concrete was discovered in its buildings, sparking urgent safety concerns and leaving parents in turmoil.
Dafen CP School became the latest educational institution to fall victim to the ongoing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis that has been sweeping through UK schools. The potentially collapse-prone material was identified during recent safety inspections, prompting immediate action from Carmarthenshire County Council.
Emergency Measures Implemented
The local authority confirmed that the school will remain closed until further notice while emergency assessments and necessary safety work are carried out. Council officials have been working closely with the school's leadership team to manage the situation and communicate with affected families.
'The safety of our pupils and staff is our absolute priority,' a council spokesperson stated. 'We understand this is disruptive for families, but we cannot take any risks when it comes to the structural integrity of our school buildings.'
Parents Left Scrambling
The sudden closure has created significant challenges for parents and carers, many of whom received the news with little warning. Families are now facing the difficult task of arranging alternative childcare and educational provisions while the school remains shuttered.
One parent expressed the collective anxiety, saying: 'It's incredibly worrying to think our children have been learning in a building that could be unsafe. We're relieved the council is taking action, but the disruption to their education is concerning.'
National Crisis Hits Local Community
Dafen CP School joins a growing list of educational facilities across Wales and England that have been affected by the RAAC concrete scandal. The lightweight building material, widely used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s, has been found to deteriorate over time, losing its structural strength and becoming prone to sudden failure.
The Welsh Government has been working with local authorities to conduct urgent surveys of all school buildings, with Dafen being among those identified as requiring immediate attention.
Council officials have assured parents that they are exploring all available options to minimise disruption to children's education and will provide regular updates as the situation develops.
