This academic year, 30 schools in Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts have reported zero student enrolment—14 in DK and 16 in Udupi. In DK, the list includes two government schools, six aided schools, and six unaided schools. Among the aided institutions, there are two high schools and four higher primary schools. The unaided category features three high schools, two higher primary schools, and one primary school.
Geographically, seven schools with no enrolment are in Mangaluru’s north zone, three in the south zone, two in Bantwal, and one each in Moodbidri and Belthangady.
In Udupi, six government schools, one private school, and nine aided schools face the same issue. The primary reasons for zero enrolment include a lack of students in government schools and a shortage of permanent teachers in aided schools, making it hard for committees to pay staff salaries.
Last year, 40 schools had zero enrolment, including six government, 17 aided, and 20 unaided schools. According to Venkatesha Subraya Patagar, DDPI of DK, schools with minimal students receive notices as per regulations and may shut down if student numbers don’t meet the minimum requirement.
In 2022, 98 schools closed in DK and Udupi, primarily due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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