The P.S. Tamang (Golay) dispensation in Sikkim has decided to shut down 97 government schools because of a lack of students.

Sources said the students of the 97 schools would be admitted to nearby government schools with better student enrolment.

The Sikkim government has identified 78 primary schools with less than 10 students per class, 12 junior high schools (up to Class VII) with less than 20 students per class and seven secondary schools with less than 50 students per class for the closure.

“These schools will be merged with other nearby schools from the next academic year,” said a source.

The Himalayan state has 765 government schools and 406 private schools.

“These days, people prefer to send their children to private schools. The low fertility rate in Sikkim could also be one of the reasons for low attendance,” said the source.

According to the National Family Health Survey 2019- 2021, Sikkim’s fertility rate is the lowest in the country. From the fertility rate of 2.01 in 2009, it has come downto 1.1. The national fertility rate is 2.0 during the sameperiod.

Government sources said the decision to close down the schools was aimed at streamlining infrastructure.

“All schools need resources. Secondary schools require laboratories, libraries and teachers in different streams. In schools with fewer students, such resources are being underutilised and hence the decision,” the source said.

The government plans to offer hostels and transport to facilitate the admission of the students of the 97 schools to new schools.

“The teachers, too, will be accommodated in other schools,” the source said.

The government plans to turn the buildings of the 97 schools into community halls or panchayat offices.

Sikkim has also launched the Chief Minister’s Mentorship Scheme to achieve 100 per cent results in the Class X board examinations. Around 132 crash course centres will be set up during the winter for the purpose.