Asumag 1226 Puerto Rico

School closures rampant in Puerto Rico amid struggling economy

May 14, 2015
More than 150 schools have closed in the last 5 years, and as many as 600 could close in the next 5.

More than 150 schools have been shuttered in Puerto Rico in the last five years as economic conditions have worsened. Over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of people have left the island for the U.S. mainland.

The Associated Press reports that the loss of so many schools is having a profound impact on communities in Puerto Rico, forcing many children to commute to new campuses and creating a blight in places already hard-hit by recession.

The government says the situation could get much worse. It warns that by early 2016 it may run out of money, and over the next five years it may have to close nearly 600 of the 1,460 public schools that once existed to save $249 million a year.

Puerto Rico has seen school enrollment drop 42 percent in the past three decades, and an additional 22 percent drop is expected over the next five years, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group.

Sponsored Recommendations

Providing solutions that help creativity, collaboration, and communication.

Discover why we’re a one-stop shop for all things education. See how ODP Business Solutions can help empower your students, school, and district to succeed by supporting healthier...

Building Futures: Transforming K–12 Learning Environments for Tomorrow's Leaders

Discover how ODP Business Solutions® Workspace Interiors partnered with a pioneering school system, overcoming supply chain challenges to furnish 18 new K–12 campuses across 4...

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...