The Bekasi administration in West Java plans to merge 110 elementary schools into 50 schools in an attempt to cut costs.

"To make it more efficient, schools that have only a few students will be merged. [The merger] will also optimize the human resources," Bekasi Education Agency head Ali Fauzie said on Monday afternoon as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Those that have more teachers than needed will have some of them allocated to other schools, he said, adding that both the schools and parents involved had agreed to the change.

After the merger, some elementary schools will be turned into junior high schools (SMP).  

"Bekasi still lacks SMPs. Later, after the merger, we will establish nine SMPs," he said.

The city currently has 49 junior high schools and 430 elementary schools. (fac)