Maharashtra pushes to gather healthy attendance amid school reopening

The consent to reopen schools for Classes 8 to 12 has also been received by Thane, Navi Mumbai and Vasai-Virar civic bodies.

Maharashtra School Reopening: The government of Maharashtra is making sure that maximum schools start physical classes from October 4, 2021, with a healthy attendance. The initial reopening of schools witnessed in rural Maharashtra in July witnessed a poor response. By October 1, civic bodies and district administrations gave all schools and junior colleges in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to start offline classes.

The consent to reopen schools for Classes 8 to 12 has also been received by Thane, Navi Mumbai and Vasai-Virar civic bodies. Schools in rural Thane and Palghar districts can run Classes 5-12. When Covid-free villages were allowed to re-start physical classes from July 15, only 35% schools opened and 10% students attended, according to TOI. Now, the state wants all civic and zilla parishad schools to open from Monday. Teachers have been urged to make all efforts to convince parents to send their children to schools.

Schools have been asked to make efforts to gather healthy attendance after reopening. Students require parents’ consent to attend schools. Though schools have begun implementing the standard operating procedures laid down by the government, many want one to two weeks to start physical classes. “Currently our online exams are underway. We plan to reopen by October 18 but it will be just to acclimatize students to school. Our learning will continue online,” said a principal. An official said the response will help decide on bringing back smaller children to classrooms. “If students are found to settle down in schools after 18 months, we will want to reopen all classes,” he said. State school education minister Varsha Gaikwad assured schools that if any student tests positive, all medical help will be provided by the state.

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