Govt. to Close 1,506 Small Schools Under New Circular 📈

• Overall Impact: The JVP/NPP Government is set to implement Circular 34/2025, resulting in the closure of 1,506 schools nationwide that have fewer than 50 pupils. • Sector Breakdown & Geography: The closures disproportionately affect rural areas outside the Western Province. • Uva Province: 172 out of 892 schools to be closed. • Kegalle District: 120 out of 498 schools (approx. 24%) face closure. • Northern Province: 40 schools in Mannar and 25 in Mullaitivu (Thunnukai) are identified. • Urban Contrast: In Colombo, only 2 out of 122 schools fall under this criteria. • Historical Context: Between 2015 and 2020, the number of schools with <50 pupils actually decreased by 76. However, by 2024, the total number of schools dropped to 10,047, while those with <50 pupils surged to 1,645, indicating a recent disruption in the national education system. • Key Concerns: Critics argue the move is "unjust and illogical," potentially impacting the right to education for children in remote areas. There are calls to withdraw the circular and initiate a democratic dialogue with parent-teacher associations and local government bodies before finalizing shutdowns. • Provisional Data: Statistics are based on the 2024 School Census and Ministry of Education reports.