18 schools merged

As many as 18 government primary schools with less than five children in Bangalore Rural district have been merged with the nearby schools.

H V Venkateshappa, DDPI, Bangalore Rural, told Deccan Herald that the merged schools could be reopened in the event of an increase in the number of students.

He said officials of the Education Department will go door-to-door to convince parents admit their children to government schools.

A student will be paid Rs 300 as conveyance per month if the merged school is at a distance of more than one km.

There is also a provision to retain the schools with poor strength in case there are no any other schools in a three kilometre radius.