Why Closing 230,000 Schools Was Bad Policy

Four rural schools will disappear in China nearly every hour, a report released at a rural education summit held in Beijing on November 17 and 18 says.

Under the theme "All for Rural Students," the report said that on average every single day from 2000 to 2010 China saw 63 primary schools, 30 teaching centers and three middle schools disappear. This resulted in social problems such as dropping out and an increased financial burden on families.