A girl stands with striking teachers at an area elementary school in Chicago, Illinois on September 13, 2012. (File photo)
A major US city has voted to close 50 public schools – the largest mass school closing in history – in a bid to combat a substantial budget deficit.
The Chicago Board of Education in the US state of Illinois voted on Wednesday to close 50 public schools including about 10 percent of all elementary schools, and to transfer thousands of children to new classroom settings.
The decision falls in line with Mayor Rahm Emanuelâ„¢s push for sweeping school reforms amid a move to save the district USD 867 million over the next 10 years.
Officials said the school closures were necessary due to a decline in the number of school-age children over the last decade.
The move targets mainly Hispanic and African-American neighborhoods.
Å“More hard work lies ahead, but I am confident that together with teachers and principals, engaged parents and community support, our children will succeed,” warned Emanuel.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and other advocates criticized the move, saying school closures in the United States are synonymous with an increase in the dropout rate and the incidence of street violence.
Over the past decade, at least 70 cities in the US have closed down public schools, averaging 11 per district, according to the National Education Association.
GMA/KA
This article originally appeared on : Press TV