Edu dept starts process to merge schools with less than 20 students

The education department in Maharashtra has instructed divisional authorities to merge small schools with low enrolment into cluster schools. This move may impact over 180,000 students in the state. The purpose of creating cluster schools is to provide students with better educational facilities and extracurricular activities. However, critics argue that this decision contradicts the Right to Education Act and may lead to higher dropout rates, especially among girls, in remote areas. The education commissioner assures that cluster schools will be attractive and that existing schools will remain open even if only one student is left.