Part 3/5:
The decline has been stark over the years. In 2010, there were 83,000 first graders; this number fell to 74,000 in 2015, further down to 64,000 in 2020, and dropped to 52,000 last year. Despite an eligible enrollment figure of about 59,500 children for 2024, projections indicate that only around 52,000 may actually be admitted. Experts warn that the actual number of students enrolling this year could potentially fall into the 40,000 range for the first time, considering that roughly 10% of eligible children often do not attend school due to overseas relocations or health issues.