Govt primary schools with 10 or less students to be merged

the goan I network
PANAJI
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has asked the State Directorate of Education (DoE) to consolidate or amalgamate government primary schools which have an enrolment of 10 or less than 10 students.
MHRD has issued the directives at the review meeting for the Western Region which was attended by Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu.
"MHRD has asked DoE to consolidate government primary schools which have enrolment of 10 or less students, mainly because it is expensive as far as cost analysis is concerned. Currently, the State Government is spending Rs 46,000 per year per student at primary level", said a State Government official.
As per the statistical data of the State Government, there are 135 government primary schools which have an enrolment of 10 or less students. Sattari has 23 schools with enrolment between 1-10 students followed by Ponda with 22 schools and Canacona with 17 schools.
The exercise of consolidation or amalgamation of schools was carried out by the State Government in the year 2012-13 wherein 12 government primary schools were amalgamated into nearby schools due to low enrolment. However, in 2013-14 and 2014-15, two schools each were amalgamated.
The exercise had attracted criticism from various stakeholders including educationists, parents as well as teachers stating that it was a move to shut all government-primary schools in the State imparting education in regional languages.
DoE has also been asked to gather Aadhaar details of all teachers within a month.Currently, Aadhaar number of 78.43 per cent teachers, including government and government-aided, has been submitted to National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) for UDISE database.
Nonetheless, 0.24 schools in the State are not affiliated to any Board and the State Government has assured to initiate steps to get them affiliated soon.

Schools with enrolment of 10 or less than 10 students
Pernem 18; Bardez 12; Bicholim 13; Sattari 23; Tiswadi 2; Ponda 22; Sanguem 8; Dharbandora 12; Quepem 6; Canacona 17; Salcete 1; Mormugao 1

AADHAAR DETAILS
DoE asked to gather Aadhaar details of all teachers within a month
At present, Aadhaar numbers of 78.43 per cent teachers, including government and government-aided schools submitted to NUEPA
FACTS & FIGURES
Government spending ` 46,000 per year per student at primary level at present
135 govt primary schools have an enrolment of 10 or less students
Sattari has 23 schools with enrolment between 1-10 students, Ponda 22 schools and Canacona 17 schools
Consolidation exercise carried out by State Government in 2012-13
12 govt primary schools were amalgamated into nearby schools due to low enrolment
In 2013-14 & 2014-15 just two schools each were amalgamated