Tamil Nadu Government Schools Will Not Close Despite Low Enrolment, Says Minister Rajmohan

The Tamil Nadu government will not shut down government schools because of low student enrolment, School Education Minister Rajmohan has assured. He said that even schools with only one teacher in remote villages, isolated hamlets and hill areas would continue to operate.

The minister made the announcement on Thursday, November 12, while attending an appreciation ceremony at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore. The event honoured headmasters of government and government-aided schools from Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts for achieving a 100% pass rate in public examinations.

Addressing the gathering, Rajmohan said the government was committed to protecting access to education, particularly for children living in geographically isolated areas. He emphasised that schools would not be closed simply because they had a small number of students.

"We will not close government schools merely because of low enrolment," the minister said, highlighting the importance of maintaining educational facilities for children from economically weaker families.

Minister Responds to Concerns Over School Closures

The minister's assurance came after VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan raised concerns about the declining number of government schools in India.Viswanathan pointed out that approximately 94,000 government schools had closed across the country over the past decade. He also referred to the closure of 246 schools in Tamil Nadu during the same period.

Responding to these concerns, Rajmohan acknowledged that more than 200 government schools had been closed in the state. However, he clarified that no government school had been shut since the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government assumed office approximately six months ago.He reiterated that the state government would take steps to retain existing schools and improve student enrolment rather than discontinue their operations.

Tamil Nadu Government Focuses on Strengthening Public Education

The minister also highlighted the government's efforts to improve school infrastructure and educational facilities.According to his remarks reported at the event, the state has allocated Rs 44,557 crore for school education in the current financial year. Plans have also been outlined to upgrade 3,734 government schools at an estimated cost of Rs 2,132 crore.

Additionally, Rs 139 crore has been earmarked for the Super Clean, Super Campus initiative, aimed at improving drinking water facilities, sanitation, toilet maintenance and safety in 10,000 government schools.The event also recognised 341 headmasters whose schools achieved a 100% pass percentage in public examinations during the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. Welfare assistance worth Rs 52 lakh was distributed among the recognised school heads.

The minister's announcement is particularly significant for families in remote and underserved areas, where government schools often provide the most accessible opportunity for children to receive formal education.