Enrollment in Japan, Okinawa DODDS falling

[unhappycamper]

Fifth-grader Lindsay Turvold and her classmates line up outside Sollars Elementary School at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on Aug. 27, the first day of school. Both of Misawa's elementary schools saw their enrollment decline this school year, echoing a trend at DODDS schools across Japan and Okinawa.


Enrollment in Japan, Okinawa DODDS falling
By Vince Little, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, January 5, 2007

Where have all the children gone?

Enrollment in military base schools across Japan and Okinawa has declined significantly the past three years, but officials say it’s difficult to pin down a leading cause.

According to statistics provided by DODDS-Pacific, there were 9,300 students in Japan district schools at the start of 2005-06. That figure fell to 9,000 a year ago and now sits at 8,800.

On Okinawa, there are currently 7,970 students attending base schools, compared to 8,320 last year and 8,470 in September 2005.

Citing operational security, Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Pacific would not provide enrollment figures by school location.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51410