Several students and parents in Maharashtra have been wondering if the government will reopen schools in the state under the 'Mission Begin Again' initiative. Schools, educational institutions, and coaching classes have remained shut the state due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. These few months brought in many obstacles for the institutions in the state, as millions of students had to opt for online coaching. Meanwhile, teachers faced issues as classes had to be organised digitally, and many had to understand technology to follow the new norm of teaching.
Reports were earlier released that the classes for the remaining months of this academic year might resume after Diwali. The decision was given with an aim to start the academic classes in a smooth manner, however, State Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad, on Friday, October 30, 2020, made an important statement on this.
Sharing the information, Minister Gaikwad while talking to a news channel said that the Maharashtra government is working on a plan to start schools across the state after Diwali. Keeping the coronavirus outbreak and the increasing cases in mind, the government and respective department are focused on allowing the same in a phase-wise manner. A meeting will be conducted with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to understand the solutions regarding the same, and official announcements will be made thereafter.
If everything goes as planned, classes might resume first for students from Standard 9-12. This will only be allowed if the safety rules regarding coronavirus can be followed strictly. Moreover, as the academic year of the students in these classes is important, the schools will have to work on planning their classes effectively.
Guidelines for the same were issued by the Central Government in September 2020, and the Ministry of Home Affairs had asked the state government to take decisions for respective states keeping the rising cases in mind. However, MHA had stated that students can attend classes only if the parents give written consent, and schools cannot force students to attend schools. On the other hand, online education should be encouraged for the safety of students.
Meanwhile, admissions for Standard 11 was also delayed this year - once due to the COVID19 outbreak and the next time due to the ongoing Maratha reservation issues. A meeting will be held with the Chief Minister in this regards and the body will make a decision in the interest of the students, added Varsha Gaikwad.
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