BHUBANESWAR: As many as 573 high schools, which have failed to send less than 20 candidates in High School Certificate (HSC) examination, may face closure as the State Government is seriously planning to serve shut-down notices on them.
Majority of the schools, which sent less than 20 candidates to the examination, are run by the Government. Most possess good infrastructure as well as teaching faculty but failed to bring in enough students from the catchment areas.
At least three schools did not have a single representation in the annual HSC examination while eight managed only one candidate each.Tribal dominated districts like Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Sundargarh and Kandhamal are home to many of these schools. As many as 57 schools are in Koraput while Rayagada has 69 and Gajapati 44.
A senior officer of the School and Mass Education Department said the Government will either shut down the schools or merge those with the ones located in the neighbourhood with strong enrolment. But it will be ensured that at least one high school operates in every panchayat before such a decision is taken.