Changes in the Number of Junior High Schools and Pupils From 1963 to 2008 in Shimane Prefecture

Abstract

This study aims to explain changes in pupil numbers and the resulting school closures. From 1963 to 1979, the number of pupils declined drastically, and significant amalgamation and reorganization of schools occurred. The number of pupils has been declining since 1988, but there were no major changes in school numbers until 2008. We classified municipalities into seven categories, according to their changes in school numbers, and we analyzed characteristics of these categories. In 2008, 40% of all in 2008 were small-scale schools with 120 or fewer pupils. This indicates that many small-scale schools will merge and close in the future.