A UK girl becomes the loneliest student in the world

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A 10-year-old girl, whose name has not been revealed, is reportedly the only student at Ings Community Primary and Nursery School in Skipton, North Yorkshire in the UK.

Since local authorities planned to close the school by the end of the year, 41 students have left and moved to a different school to start the new academic year.

As a result, the sixth year student remains the only still enrolled. She plays with herself during class breaks and exercises alone on the playground, but she does have companionship during lunch time with school faculty members.

Photo from the Daily Mail

The student still receives a full education at school, and three staff members must be present with her at all times under safeguarding rules.

The girl’s father told the Daily Mail that he has no intention of transferring her to other schools, but wants to home school her after this semester. “I went to this school as did a lot of members of my family. I don’t understand why it should have to close," said her father.

A final decision for the school's closure is expected to be made by the North Yorkshire County Council next month.

Xinhua Photo

According to a report from China News Service in 2016, this has happened in China as well. In Fujian Province, 11 out of 78 schools in the remote areas of Yongtai County have only one pupil and one teacher.

Xinhua Photo

For example, 8-year-old Lan Xinrong is a second grade student at Yukeng Primary School. He's being taught by 57-year-old Wu Zhiguang, who has taught all subjects at the school for the last seven years.