Puerto Rico to close more than 180 schools leaving 27,000 pupils in limbo, with the island’s low birth rate and economic crisis blamed for cull as thousands move to US mainland
Move is the largest mass closure of schools in the history of the US territory
It will see 27,000 pupils forced to look for places elsewhere if it goes ahead
Education secretary Julia Keleher is set to announce further details
It comes amid heightened unrest over austerity measures on the island
DAVE BURKE
DailyMail.com
5 May 2017
More than 180 public schools are set to shut in Puerto Rico in a move which will see 27,000 pupils forced to move elsewhere.
It is the largest mass closure of schools ever announced in the history of the US territory.
The country’s economic crisis – which has sparked an exodus to the US mainland – and the island’s low birth rate have been blamed.
Protests were held at the weekend against austerity measures being introduced amid heightening unrest.
Education Department spokeswoman Yolanda Rosaly said Education Secretary Julia Keleher would soon provide more details about the closures.
Opponents of previous school closures say that transportation logistics and special education needs were not taken into account. An estimated 30 percent of Puerto Rico students receive specialized education, twice the average in the U.S. mainland.
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