Why is Arunachal Pradesh Closing 386 Government Schools with No Enrolment?

Synopsis
In a significant move, the Arunachal Pradesh government is closing 386 schools with no student enrolment. This action aims to optimize resources and enhance educational outcomes. The decision is part of a broader strategy outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, promoting efficiency in school infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Arunachal Pradesh government is closing 386 schools with zero enrolment.
- The decision is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Teachers from closed schools will be reassigned to address staff shortages.
- Over 2,800 schools operate in the state, employing more than 7,600 teachers.
- This measure aims to enhance educational outcomes and resource efficiency.
Itanagar, June 3 (NationPress) – In a move aimed at maximizing the use of available resources, the government of Arunachal Pradesh has mandated the closure of 386 government schools that recorded zero student enrolment, officials announced on Tuesday.
Previously, the Education Department had shut down 600 schools in the last year due to non-functionality or lack of enrolment.
According to a notification from Commissioner (Education) Amjad Tak, the directive for closing these 386 schools was issued by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh to ensure the efficient use of resources.
The educators currently assigned to these institutions will be reassigned to other schools facing staffing shortages, following the Teacher Transfer and Posting Policy, under the supervision of the relevant Deputy Director of School Education.
"All relevant Deputy Directors of School Education are responsible for the prompt issuance of deployment orders and for updating records in the official database and the UDISe (Unified District Information System for Education) Portal," the notification stated.
A senior representative from the School Education Department confirmed that the 386 schools include a mix of primary, upper primary, middle, and secondary schools that have seen no student enrolment this year.
Among the closures, the highest number—73 schools—will be found in the West Kameng district, which borders Bhutan and Nagaland, followed by Papum Pare with 50, West Siang with 31, and others across several districts.
Districts with the least closures include Kra Daadi (8), Shi-Yomi (7), and several others with minimal reductions. Arunachal Pradesh shares international borders with China, Myanmar, and Bhutan and consists of 26 districts.
The decision aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for the consolidation of school resources to improve academic performance and efficiency. This year, nearly 600 government schools have either been closed or merged with other institutions.
Currently, Arunachal Pradesh operates over 2,800 government-run schools across various levels, employing more than 7,600 regular teachers.