The state government of Maharashtra in a recently taken decision announced that the schools, for selected classes, will resume from November 23, 2020. CM Uddhav Thackeray announced the same in the presence of School Education Minister, Varsha Gaikwad and other officials.
Schools across Maharashtra have been shut since March 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak, and despite the unlock guidelines being issues, officials expect that there will be challenges in reopening schools, keeping the increasing cases and risks in mind. However, as decided, schools will initially reopen for classes 9-12, and the same has been decided after consultation with educational bodies from the state and with the interest of students.
Following the announcement, Minister Gaikwad, on behalf of the education department, on Wednesday, November 11, issued regulations giving priority to the health of the students. The SOPs state that the educational institutions will have to strictly abide by them, keeping everyone's health and safety in mind.
As per guidelines, the schools can resume operations from November 23, only after complying with the norms imposed by the Central and State Governments. Also, the teaching and learning process will have to be started once the SOPs are understood and agreed upon. This is possible only if responsibility is shared by the local administration, headmaster, teachers, parents, managers and the government.
The protocol states that classes can be held for 40 minutes, and for four hours in a day, during which officials have to take precautions directed by the education department. Instructions will have to be followed, and steps have to be taken along with the local administration to ensure safety at all times. Officials from the government have also been asked to conduct regular checks to understand if the norms are being followed or not.
Moreover, the school management is allowed to teach in the open areas and grounds. If a written examination has to be conducted, the schools will have to follow the advice of the experts from the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, and guidelines will be issued regarding Standard 10 and 12 examinations. Minister Gaikwad added that as per the calendar, the exams are expected to be held later this year and will be conducted in early May, but only after thorough inspection and discussions are held regarding areas of Vidarbha, Konkan and other districts.
Before the classes resume, thorough inspection and health checks for the teachers will have to be conducted by the schools, district administration and the municipal corporation. Parents have been advised to not send children, for precautionary reasons, if they or any member in the family is facing illness or symptoms.
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