Pilsrundāle school raises enrolment as monitoring continues

Pilsrundāle Secondary School in Bauska Municipality began the new academic year with 383 students, 16 more than last year, as it awaits a decision on whether it can retain its secondary-school status, LSM reported, citing Zemgale Regional Television.

The school is subject to a monitoring period set by the municipality that will continue until the end of the year. Its future remains uncertain, but the school has retained its upper-secondary classes for the current academic year.

There are 20 students in Year 10, 17 in Year 11 and eight in Year 12. The school’s principal, Daiga Saka, said the number of students in Year 11 had risen from 11 at the end of the previous academic year.

However, 45 students are currently enrolled in the upper-secondary section, nine fewer than the required minimum.

“We have very mixed feelings, but we believe in the dreams that were spoken about. We believe and hope that there will be no significant changes and that the school’s Years 10 and 12 will continue to operate in the future,” said Līga Orupa, the mother of students in Years 3 and 9.

The school staff worked throughout the summer to attract new students. Saka is also developing a new educational programme intended to expand the secondary school’s offerings.

“The uncertainty was very frightening. Whenever one child enrolled during the summer, the principal would tell us: one more has joined. We were tense all the time,” said primary school teacher Ance Zelmene.

Staff members also draw confidence from the students’ academic results. Pilsrundāle Secondary School has risen to fourth place in a ranking of small schools.

“We will fight; we want to preserve this secondary school. Of course, there is anxiety,” deputy principal Aiga Vangale said.