In a major development, Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad on Friday, September 24, said that the department has moved a proposal with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to resume the school for Class 5 and above from October 4 across the state. However, a formal announcement is yet to be made.
Clarifying further, Gaikwad said the decision of reopening is for regular schools and not residential schools.
She announced that schools will be reopened from October 4 by strictly following the SOP suggested by Pediatric Task Force. In rural areas, the schools will resume for Class 5 to 12 and in urban areas, the class will start from Class 8 to 12. The SOPs will also be released for all the parents.
Based on detailed deliberations with the paediatric task force, all stakeholders & guidance of @CMOMaharashtra,SOPs for school reopenings have been further strengthened. Schools can restart physical classes for Std 5-12th in rural areas & Std 8-12th in urban areas from October 4 pic.twitter.com/KWKocMMvep
— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) September 24, 2021
The minister also said that the schools will be reopened following all COVID-related norms. Moreover, schools need to have an isolation centre if a student is detected positive.
Gaikwad mentioned that the temperature of students to be checked regularly, doctors will be engaged with schools. Meanwhile, roll call or attendance will not be mandatory, classes could be on alternate days based on the number of students. Though, parents’ nod is a must. In addition, online classes will continue to take place.
On the other hand, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on September 23, stated that a decision to reopen schools in Mumbai, Maharashtra’s capital and its adjacent areas will be undertaken post the approaching Diwali festivities.
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