Tue Jun 03 07:37:09 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Arunachal Pradesh government has ordered the closure of 386 government schools across the state due to zero student enrollment. This decision follows an analysis of data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), which identified schools that have been non-functional for years. The closures aim to rationalise educational infrastructure, reassign staff to schools with students, and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The move affects schools in various districts, with West Kameng having the highest number of closures. This is the second major round of closures, with 600 schools already shut down or merged last year.
**News Article:**
**Arunachal Pradesh Shuts Down 386 Schools Due to Zero Enrollment**
*Itanagar, June 3, 2025* – The Arunachal Pradesh government has ordered the closure of 386 government schools across the state due to a complete lack of student enrollment. The decision, announced by the Education Department on Monday, is a move to streamline resources and improve educational outcomes.
Data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) revealed a significant number of schools that have been non-functional, some for several years. The closures affect primary, upper primary, middle, and secondary schools in districts across the state, including remote areas like Kurung Kumey and Tawang.
“This is a necessary step to ensure that our educational resources are being used effectively,” said an Education Department official. “By consolidating our infrastructure and reassigning teachers, we can provide better support to schools that are actively serving students.”
West Kameng district will see the highest number of closures with 73 schools affected. Other districts with significant closures include Papum Pare (50), West Siang (31), and Upper Subansiri and Siang (28 each).
The move aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes efficient management of school infrastructure and prioritizes quality over quantity. The government has instructed officials to ensure the immediate closure of the schools and the redeployment of staff. Arrangements will be made to relocate any recently migrated students to nearby functioning schools.
This is the second major round of closures in Arunachal Pradesh. Last year, the government shut down 600 schools that were either non-functional or had zero enrollment. The state has over 2,800 government-run schools and more than 7,600 teachers.
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