Uruguay maintains nearly 1,000 rural schools despite closures

Uruguay currently maintains approximately 995 open rural schools, though between 200 and 300 such institutions have closed over the years. Limber Santos, Director of Rural Education, noted that the country follows a unique policy where a school remains open even if it has only one student to prevent difficulties caused by rural depopulation and long travel distances.

In the department of Colonia, community involvement remains particularly strong, with local commissions playing a central role in the cultural and social life of public educational institutions. However, challenges persist in the northern and central regions of the country, where poor road conditions and a lack of public transport make accessing education more difficult for children.