2 schools shut in Udupi due to lack of students

The closure of the government schools due to acute shortage of students has become a matter of concern today.

Zero attendance was recorded in two government schools in Udupi district during the current academic year.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Deputy Director of Public Instructions (DDPI) Nagendra Madhyastha said that the two schools have been temporarily shut down and will be reopened during the next academic year if the schools get enough number of students.

The two schools are Mattu Lower primary Government School in Udupi and Government Lower Primary School in Pajila in Karkala taluk.

“We have received an information that a school at Katpadi has low enrolment. However, we are yet to confirm the issue,” he said.

“No aided and private schools in the district have recorded zero attendance. At least there should be 10 students in a school to run or re-open the closed schools,” the DDPI said.

There was one school in Vantyala in the interior Barhamvara which was closed down last year, as it had only four to five students. However, the school has been reopened following the admission of more number of students this year.

The total number of students now at Vantyala Government Lower Primary School stands at nine. There are as many as 19 to 20 schools in the district that are facing the threat closure. These schools are all government lower primary schools.

The DDPI said the final decision over the closing down or continuation of these schools will be taken in another week. “We are exploring all possibilities.

In case if we are closing down the school for shortage of students, it is our responsibility to make alternative arrangement for the students already admitted and are studying in the schools.

We should find schools for those students which are within one kilometer radius or else we should continue running the schools with at least two teachers. The department is trying best to evade the shutting down of the schools,” he added.

The Government lower primary schools that have less number of students are in Argodu, Mavinkaru, Muvinguli, Konki, Chungigudde, Nandanavana and Balagona in Baindur block, Surimannu, Kusrukatte, Meeyaru, Peraldabettu, Kambalagudde in Karkala block, lower primary schools in Hanja, Balmane, Neramballi and Nadaburu in Kundapur block.

A high school in Chickensal area in Kundapur had shortage of students. However, the school has now 10 students.

There are 618 government primary schools and 106 government high schools and 72 aided high schools in the district.