<p>Though the government is claiming that enrolment in government schools has increased in the last two years, data shows that nearly 70% of the government primary schools have less than 30 students.</p>.<p>As per data provided by Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh in his address, during the Rajyotsava celebrations organised by the department of primary and secondary education in Bengaluru on Monday, of the total 20,718 government primary schools, 14,236 (68.71%) are functioning with just 30 students or less.</p>.<p>When it comes to government higher primary schools, the total number of schools is 22,501, of which 2,421 have 35 students or less.</p>.<p>In the past, the government had merged the schools having less enrolment with neighboring schools and also deputed teachers to other schools.</p>.<p>This time, despite lean enrolment, the department of primary and secondary education said such schools will not be closed down.</p>.<p>Nagesh said, “We are working towards strengthening government schools. There is no question of closing down the schools with less numbers (enrolment).”</p>.<p><strong>School complex in every GP</strong></p>.<p>As explained by the minister, the department was planning to set up a ‘school complex’ in every gram panchayat (GP), which will have all facilities.</p>.<p>“As per the National Education Policy recommendations, we are planning to set up one school complex in every GP, with all basic facilities, including physical education equipment and teachers,” said Nagesh.</p>.<p>The school complexes at GP level will have transportation facilities for the students.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Though the government is claiming that enrolment in government schools has increased in the last two years, data shows that nearly 70% of the government primary schools have less than 30 students.</p>.<p>As per data provided by Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh in his address, during the Rajyotsava celebrations organised by the department of primary and secondary education in Bengaluru on Monday, of the total 20,718 government primary schools, 14,236 (68.71%) are functioning with just 30 students or less.</p>.<p>When it comes to government higher primary schools, the total number of schools is 22,501, of which 2,421 have 35 students or less.</p>.<p>In the past, the government had merged the schools having less enrolment with neighboring schools and also deputed teachers to other schools.</p>.<p>This time, despite lean enrolment, the department of primary and secondary education said such schools will not be closed down.</p>.<p>Nagesh said, “We are working towards strengthening government schools. There is no question of closing down the schools with less numbers (enrolment).”</p>.<p><strong>School complex in every GP</strong></p>.<p>As explained by the minister, the department was planning to set up a ‘school complex’ in every gram panchayat (GP), which will have all facilities.</p>.<p>“As per the National Education Policy recommendations, we are planning to set up one school complex in every GP, with all basic facilities, including physical education equipment and teachers,” said Nagesh.</p>.<p>The school complexes at GP level will have transportation facilities for the students.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
