18 low-enrolment govt primary schools merged in last six years

Panaji: Even as govt has had to shut down 47 govt primary schools since 2021 due to their low student numbers, the state’s strategy of merging some such schools to save them from closure continues.

Over the last six years, 18 low-enrolment govt primary schools have been merged with another govt primary school in the neighbourhood, data tabled in the recently concluded state assembly session shows.

In 2020-21, eight govt primary schools were merged, followed by three in 2021-22. Two more were merged with neighbouring govt schools in 2022-23. Four were merged in 2023-24. However, the number of such schools is coming down, as the move is being opposed by parents who state that it will require young children from ages six to nine to travel further away to get to school.

In 2024-25, no school could be merged, and only one was merged in the current academic year 2025-26.

Goa govt began amalgamating low-enrolment schools with neighbouring ones in 2013. In the initial years, the project did not take off due to objections from parents. But plans were revived in the following years, leading to the successful amalgamation of some schools.

According to the state education rules, one teacher can be provided for every 24 students. This means that any school student number of 24 or below is entitled to only one teacher, leaving many govt primary schools to operate with a single teacher who handles Classes I to IV and also manages administrative work. There is no school headmaster or clerical staff.

Issues such as these have eventually led to the enrolment dropping further, leading to the eventual closure of state govt primary schools.

However, the state’s strategy is that amalgamating a govt primary school on the verge of closure with the next nearest state-run primary school will ensure that there are sufficient teachers, infrastructure facilities, and therefore better resources for students.