Philadelphia school system approves mass layoffs

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."

A major US city has decided to lay off thousands of school employees in a bid to compensate over a loss in funding for basic educational needs, a report says.

The Philadelphia school system in the US State of Pennsylvania will lay off 3,783 employees including 676 teachers, 283 counselors, 127 assistant principals and 1,202 aides starting on July 1, the Washington Post reported.

The layoffs are “nothing less than catastrophic for our schools and students,” said Superintendent William Hite Jr., while referring to the 2013-2014 school budget that includes a projected USD 304-million deficit.

The budget cuts will target basic school necessities including new books, paper, arts and music programs, athletic programs, secretaries and librarians.

In March, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission agreed to close 23 public schools.

This is while the Chicago Board of Education in the US State of Illinois voted on May 22 to close 50 public schools - the largest mass school closing in history - in a bid to save the district USD 867 million over the next 10 years.

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.