Oldest School in Region Closed Due to Lack of Students

The oldest educational institution in Volgograd Oblast — the Pereshchepnaya basic school, a branch of the Mokro-Olkhovskaya secondary school, has ceased operations in Kotovsky district. The decision to close it was made based on an official decree due to a complete lack of students.

The settlement of Pereshchepnoye, where the school was located, is at one of the highest points in the region. According to local residents, the educational institution had been functioning here since the 1870s.

The administration of Kotovsky district declined to give detailed comments on the school«s liquidation, referring to the education department. Media staff were unable to reach this department for more information.

The situation with the Pereshchepnaya school is not unique to Volgograd Oblast. Fyodor Yermolov, a Volgograd manager of sociocultural projects, has previously encountered a similar problem when trying to preserve the khutor (a type of rural settlement) of Martynovsky and its educational institution.

The expert expressed his opinion on the consequences:

«I can only say that closing a school is the beginning of the village»s death. No new people will come, the young will leave: no one will want to drive their children God knows where. And once they leave, no one returns.«