reduced - shrunk

[dilodi83]

This is the sentence I have written in a test:

- The teacher training faculty has reduced by about 25%.

And this is the sentence the teacher suggested to me.

- The teacher training faculty had shrunk by about 25%.

Now, I cannot understand the difference between the two verbs.
Isn't "reduce" possible in this context? And if not, why?
Thanks so much for the explanation.

[riquecohen]

This is the sentence I have written in a test:

- The teacher training faculty has reduced by about 25%.

And this is the sentence the teacher suggested to me.

- The teacher training faculty had shrunk by about 25%.

Now, I cannot understand the difference between the two verbs.
Isn't "reduced" possible in this context? And if not, why?
Thanks so much for the explanation.

You are correct; "reduce" is possible, but if you meant to use it in the present perfect it should read "has been reduced." "Shrunk" is also possible, but without context it is difficult to see why the teacher suggested the past perfect.