The Lamjung District Education Office (DEO) has ordered closure of 141 schools, citing inadequate number of students.

District Education Officer Gyan Mani Nepal said they have issued notices to shut those schools lacking the minimum number of students.

“We will merge those schools with others where there are sufficient number of students,” said Nepal.

If the schools in question cannot enrol the required number of students in the upcoming session, they will be closed, he added.

According to the DEO, there are very few students in 139 primary schools in the district.

“The state cannot afford the expenses for those schools where there are fewer students than teachers,” said Nepal.