The tribal-dominated, backward district of Mayurbhanj is likely to witness, in near future, the closure of, at least, 167 primary schools spread over its all four sub-divisions.
This is because the student strength of these schools is below the official requirements.
According to official reports, while the student strength is five or less in 7 schools, in 31 other schools, the number of students is 10 or less and there are 129 schools, where the number is 15 or less. While the 7 first category schools, with lowest strength, are located in Bahalda, Sukruli, Jashipur, Karanjia, Raruan and Suliapada blocks of the district, the second category 31 schools, where the student strength is 10 or less, are spread over the blocks of Baripada, Samakhunta, Kuliana, Bangriposi, Thakurmunda, Badsahi,Karanjia, Raruan, Bisoi, Saraskana, Bijatala, Jashipur, Suliapada, Gopabandhunagar, Kaptipada and Tiring.
And, the last category of 129 schools are identified in the blocks of Gopabandhunagar (12 schools), Badsahi and Jashipur (9), Sukruli, Kaptipada and Bangripos (8), Bahalda, Bisoi, Saraskana, Udala, Samakhunta and Bijatala (6), Rairangpur, Tiring and Khunta (5), Suliapada and Jamda(4), Kuliana and Morada (3),Thakurmunda, Raruan and Betnoti (2) and Baripada, Rasgovindpur, Karanjia and Kusumi (1).