Village schools face closure reviews as pupil numbers fall below 20 in Virrat and Lempäälä
Village schools in Virrat and Lempäälä are under review after pupil numbers fell well below the municipal 20-pupil threshold, prompting evaluations of finances, transport and staffing.
Vaskiveden school in Virrat now has just 12 pupils, well under the 20-pupil minimum that can trigger closure. The threshold counts preschool children as well.
Under a municipal council decision, a school can be closed or merged if its pupil numbers fall permanently below 20. Virrat has opened a school network review that will examine finances, school transport, pupil forecasts and staffing plans. In Lempäälä, Mattila school’s roll has declined from 72 to 34 over the past ten years and is being evaluated as part of the municipality’s basic education service network.
Any final decisions on closures or mergers will be taken by the respective municipal councils. YLE reported.
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