Tamil Nadu will not shut government schools over low enrolment, says minister
School Education Minister Rajmohan assured that even single-teacher schools in remote areas will continue to function.
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan said on Thursday that the state government will not close any government school due to low student enrolment. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony in Vellore, the minister stated that even schools with only one teacher in hill areas and remote hamlets will remain operational.
The minister addressed a ceremony organised by VIT for headmasters from Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts. These headmasters were recognised for achieving 100 per cent pass results in public examinations during 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26. According to The Hindu, Rajmohan noted that no government school has been closed since the current government took office six months ago.
Rajmohan said the government is implementing measures to increase enrolment, such as introducing new teaching methods like using stories to teach mathematics and improving the curriculum. He stated that in remote locations where human presence is rare, schools remain ready for children from poor families.
During the event, VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan noted that approximately 94,000 schools across India had closed over the last decade, including more than 200 in Tamil Nadu. He mentioned that about 1,200 schools currently have zero enrolment. The ceremony also saw the distribution of welfare assistance totalling Rs 52 lakh to 341 headmasters.
Separately, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced that 61,84,566 students in government and government-aided schools will receive cakes and greeting cards for Children's Day on Friday. The Chief Minister has sanctioned Rs 9.27 crore for this distribution.