Schools in Maharashtra reopen in nearly 25 districts

As schools resume in some parts of Maharashtra, students from several rural areas were seen attending classes including in Aurangabad's Waluj after eight months.

The state government had earlier decided to reopen schools from November 23, 2020, after eight long months, however, schools in Mumbai, Pune City, Aurangabad City, Nashik, Pimpri Chinchwad is to remain closed for now. Although schools remain closed in the cities, in the rural areas of Pune, Aurangabad, as well as in Latur, Osmanabad, schools have reopened.

Meanwhile, Varsha Gaikwad, State Education Minister, took to Twitter stating that 9,127 Schools in Maharashtra reopened on Monday, November 23, in a safe environment as per SOPs. She further made a special mention for Amravati where all schools reopened. On the other hand, areas like Gadchiroli (92 per cent) Osmanabad (91 per cent) Satara (89 per cent) Solapur (87 per cent) Akola (86 per cent) Yavatmal (84 per cent) Latur (82 per cent) also witnessed a high number of school re-openings. Moreover, in 15 districts, the average number of school reopened was over 50 per cent.

9127 Schools in Maharashtra reopened on Monday in a safe environment as per SOPs. My sincere gratitude to local administration,teaching,non-teaching staff,school mgmt, students & parents in making this happen. We remain committed to the well-being & health of all children. pic.twitter.com/PdKY1PiDLx

— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 23, 2020

Earlier on Friday, November 20, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, informed that schools in Mumbai are to remain closed till December 31, 2020. This development comes days after the Delhi government announced all schools to remain shut in view of the COVID-19 situation. However, schools in other parts of Maharashtra reopened on November 23, as directed by the state government.

According to the previous notice, the students are to attend school on alternate days in order to ensure a 50 per cent attendance. In addition, the guidelines stated that a regular school day will span not more than four hours. However, no lunch break is to be provided to the students.