An annual review of Angus schools has reported 10% of its estate is in poor condition.
Figures reported to the local authority’s education committee showed 53% of primary schools are less than two-thirds full, while one in 10 was in “poor” condition.
Smaller schools were particularly under-subscribed, with Arbirlot school near Arbroath housing 19 pupils out of a possible 50.
At the time of the survey, 11 pupils out of a possible 50 were attending Stracathro in Brechin, while Inverarity school outside Forfar had 28 children and capacity for 75.
The report, based on figures from the 2012 census, also posed questions about the condition of school buildings and whether they are fit for purpose.
It referred to a 2005 council document that said the condition and suitability of school buildings would be rated from A to C.
Buildings in category C condition were defined as “poor showing major defects and/or not operating adequately”.
Of eight Angus secondary schools, two were labelled as category C in terms of both building condition and suitability.
One in five primary schools was in category C for suitability. Arbroath’s Warddykes Primary showed “signs of deterioration which will require attention, particularly in respect of environmental factors”.
A replacement school is scheduled to be completed by 2016. Timmergreens Primary also in Arbroath was described in the same way, and will also be replaced as part of the Arbroath Primary School project.
Several more Angus schools Hayshead, Carmyllie, Stracathro, Ferryden and Colliston required more work just to maintain their category B status, the report said.