Core Viewpoint - The recent enrollment of nearly 100 classes for the first year at Shandong Heze City Peony District No. 22 Junior High School has sparked widespread attention and concern regarding the quality of education amidst increasing student numbers [2][3][4]. Enrollment Details - The school confirmed that it has indeed enrolled 94 classes for the first year this year, with the local education authority acknowledging a peak in enrollment numbers in recent years [2][10]. - According to the 2025 enrollment plan released by the Peony District Education and Sports Bureau, the school plans to enroll 5,700 students across 114 classes, indicating a significant increase from previous years [6][10]. National Trends - Nationally, the number of junior high school enrollments has been increasing annually, with 2024 projected to have 18.49 million students, up from 17.55 million in 2023 [9]. - The number of junior high schools has been decreasing, with 52,100 schools in 2024 compared to 52,300 in 2023 [9]. - The student-to-teacher ratio has been rising, nearing 13:1 by 2024, indicating potential challenges in maintaining educational quality as class sizes grow [9][10]. Local Measures - The Peony District Education Bureau has stated that measures will be implemented to ensure teaching quality despite the increased number of students, including staggered dismissal times to manage student flow [10]. - Other regions, such as Longyan City in Fujian Province, are also adapting by reallocating primary school teachers to junior high schools to address teacher shortages due to rising student numbers [12].