A former teacher who worked in classrooms containing asbestos for 11 years has been awarded £210,000 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Teachers union NASUWT revealed details of the claim on Friday (3rd April) which it helped to secure for the 70-year-old last year.
The woman, from East Midlands is a member of the union and developed the disease in 2013.
A union spokesperson said: “Between 1973 and 1984, the member had worked in two secondary schools and taught in classrooms containing asbestos that was present in the pre-fabricated buildings, in ceiling tiles and on wall panels.
“In one particular classroom, asbestos ceiling tiles would regularly fall down, which the member would have to pick up.
“In another classroom, asbestos tiles were replaced during term time and during the school day, generating a large amount of dust.
“In addition, as the member was a science teacher, she regularly had to handle asbestos mats.”
The news comes in the same week that the National Union of Teachers’ (NUT) revealed the findings of a report into current levels of asbestos in schools. The NUT said that although 90% of schools contain asbestos, 44% of teachers hadn’t been told about it.
General Secretary of the NUT, Christine Blower, said: “Political parties must actively engage with a problem which is very far from being addressed and has taken many lives. Children, parents and staff deserve better.”