Low-enrolment schools face closure

The Education Department has taken a fresh decision to merge and effectively abolish all primary and middle schools with low enrolment, as well as institutions declared structurally unsafe or dilapidated, by integrating them into nearby schools.

Surplus teachers from the schools selected for merger will be transferred to the surplus pool.

Owing to the severe economic and financial crisis, schools housed in deteriorated buildings requiring substantial expenditure are to be permanently closed. Under the new policy, primary schools with enrolment below 50 students and situated within a one-kilometre radius of another institution will be merged with a nearby school of the same level.

Officials said that, during the merger process, no distinction will be made between boys' and girls' schools. Preference will be given to institutions capable of accommodating additional students with adequate capacity and facilities.

Schools operating in dangerous or unsafe buildings are also being considered for merger into institutions with superior infrastructure. Elementary schools with enrolment below 75 students and located within a two-kilometre radius may see two or three schools consolidated into a single campus possessing the required facilities, including spacious buildings, improved infrastructure, a sufficient number of teachers and at least ten standard classrooms.

In addition to schools already placed on the official list, authorities have been instructed to identify further institutions meeting the same criteria or facing other sensitive issues, including hazardous buildings and a shortage of teaching staff, for possible merger or closure.

The Director of Public Instruction has directed AEOs to identify schools falling under the prescribed criteria and submit details.

During the forthcoming three-month summer vacation period, a large number of government primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools are reportedly expected to be merged, disposed of, or closed, while all second-shift schools are also set to be shut down.