Pune Municipal Corporation to consider reopening schools from January 2021

In a recently taken decision, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) decided to keep the schools closed in the city until January 3, 2021. The decision was taken on Saturday, December 12, 2020, keeping the increasing COVID-19 cases in mind. 

The decision to now reopen schools post the new year will be given again by the state health department and the local bodies like Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik will have to follow the guidelines. As per information released previously, schools in Pune were expected to reopen by December 13. Officials in Mumbai, on the other hand, decided to keep the schools closed until December 31.

The state health department had earlier mentioned that the coronavirus cases have significantly increased after Diwali and other festivals. The education department had permitted schools to resume in the state, but local administrations were asked to check the same keeping the COVID-19 in mind.

Certain areas in the state, with low COVID-19 cases, reopened schools and colleges for classes 9-12. This was permitted from November 23, and School Education Minister, Varsha Gaikwad, recently mentioned that the schools might resume for classes 5-8 too. A nod from the health department is sought regarding the same.

However, with growing cases in Mumbai, Pune and other cities, respective municipal corporations have decided to keep them shut and continue with online education.

Civic bodies have been given a set of guidelines to ensure safety at all times. Both teaching and non-teaching staff have to be tested for coronavirus, and parents have been told to not send students if they or any member of the family develops symptoms or illness. Students have been given an option to choose either online or offline classes, as per convenience. 

Data released by the public health department on Sunday, December 13, shows that Maharashtra has recorded a total of 18,80,416 cases, out of which 17,57,005 have recovered and 48,209 have passed away due to the infection. Currently, more than 74,000 patients are being treated for coronavirus. Pune division, on the other hand, has a total of 4,68,089 cases and 11,051 deaths. Pune city (under PMC) alone has recorded 3,62,312 cases out of which 3,37,755 have recovered. More than 16,000 cases are currently active.