Minyan child is counted for 10th

Igros Moshe (OC II #18) Question  Can a child be counted  as the tenth man of a minyan at a time of need when as a consequence of not having a minyan there is concern that the minyan will be disbanded G-d forbid! Answer  I agree that this constitutes  a genuine time of need even if there now exists other shuls  in the neighborhood to pray .However they are far away and therefore the people might not take the trouble of going to a different minyan. Even if the alternatives are nearby there is concern that that people will not go there tp pray since they are not accustomed to go there. Either way there is concern that if this minyan lacks the status of a minyan they will lose the merit of praying with a community as well as Torah reading and other matters of holiness. . Even if they all go to another shul, that still means the loss of the Torah lessons that were taught in the present shul. Even if there are Torah classes in the other shul but we have a clear principle that a person does not learn equally from all teachers. In addition the Magen Avraham says clearly not to nullify an existing shul even when others exist in the neighborhood.  To nullify a shul without good reason is prohibited even if there are alternatives.  Consequently if there is a possibility that by the failure to achieve a minyan a number of times the minyan will be disbanded iot is definitely considered a genuine time of need.  And thus can count a child as the tenth man according to those who permit it. Regarding the actual halacha of whether a child can count as the tenth man is a dispute among Rishonim and we are not able to clearly resolve the issue and this is also a dispute amongst Achronim.  The requirement of 10 Jewish adults is in fact a rabbinic requirement and thus this is a dispute regarding the obligation concerning a Rabbinic law. We have a general rule to follow the lenient view in disputes over Rabbinic laws. The lenient authorities are Gedolim and include Rav Hai Gaon, the Rif, Rabbeinu Tam and others. However the majority of authorities hold that a child is not counted as the 10th man. In such a situation one normally would follow the majority even for a Rabbinic law unless it is a time of need in which case it is permitted to follow a minority view. Consequently if you wish to utilize one child at a time of need you are allowed. It is best if the child is at least 12 years old and while it is not required that he hold a chumash as a rolled scroll it is a good thing. However since we don’t have such a thing today he should be given a sefer Torah even if it is posul it fulfills the requirement of the Magen Avraham. However when the child says Shma or prays the Amida it is prohibited for him to hold a Sefer Torah. During those times the Sefer Torah should be placed on the table and he should hold on to the  etz chaim This also allows for everyone else to sit. Also the shliach tzibor should not pray silently but should wait until everyone else has and then should do the repetition out loud in order to say kadish and Kedusha.