A senior councillor says the local authority is wasting resources because primary schools in Moray are running at less than a third of their capacity.
Classroom rolls have steadily increased in the region over the last two years – rising by 264 to 7,047 from 2014-15.
But the capacity of schools in Moray has also gone up during the same period.
Figures published by the council have revealed 2,800 empty places in class – and two new primary schools are due to be built in Elgin.
Last night, George Alexander, vice-chairman of the local authority’s children and young people’s committee, said: “The rolls are going up in Elgin. That’s why we’re going to be building more schools there.
“What’s really shocking is how low the rolls in some schools are. Some of them are down at 50% or even 30% capacity.”
The Independent Forres councillor added: “We really need to amalgamate some of these smaller schools into larger ones. These are big buildings being kept open to have only half full.”
The new Linkwood School in Elgin has only eight P1 pupils at its temporary accommodation at East End, which has room for 49 students.
Twelve enrolled initially but four did not attend after the summer holidays.
Rural schools account for the bulk of the least-occupied classes.
Ineravon is running at 28% capacity, Findochty at 30%, Portknockie 35% and Glenlivet 36%.
The busiest primary school in the region is West End in Elgin, which has 238 pupils bringing, putting it 93% capacity. Newmill and New Elgin’s capacities both stand at 92%.
The whole school estate has an occupancy rate of 71%.
But Fochabers Lhanbryde councillor Douglas Ross said it was wrong to set an occupancy threshold for classes.
He said: “These figures change year to year and will depend on where people want to live.
“With the massive investment that is coming in Lossiemouth some families moving here may choose to live in rural areas.”
Committee members will meet to discuss the figures on Wednesday.
In a report for the meeting officers have confirmed work to build the new £28million Elgin High School remains ahead of schedule.
A roof has now been put on the sports block and the steel frame for the main school has been finished.
The next phase of work will involve decking being installed on upper floors.