34 schools closed down

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Thirty-four elementary schools in this regency will be closed down because of a shortfall of students, an official said on Thursday.

"For the sake of efficiency and effectiveness, we plan to merge all schools which are short of students. The merge has to be completed by May next year," said head of the local education and culture office Sudiono.

Schools facing closure are those with less than 50 pupils.

Sudiono said that despite the reduction in student numbers, the regency needed about 800 elementary school teachers, 300 of whom majored in sports.

"I've reported the lack of teachers to the ministry but we have yet to hear any answer," Sudiono added. (45/edt)