Maharashtra School Reopening: Varsha Gaikwad releases strict guidelines

Maharashtra government has decided to reopen schools in the state. Considering the safety of students and staff members the government has laid down important guidelines to be followed. 

Maharashtra School Reopening: The Maharashtra Government has decided to commence offline classes in schools. School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad on August 10 announced that students of Classes 5 to 12 will be allowed to attend classes in rural areas from August 17. However, in urban areas students of Classes 8 to 12 will be allowed to attend schools. Maharashtra government has decided to reopen schools in areas where the coronavirus cases are under control. For the safe return of the students, the minister has also released a set of SOPs. Talking about Maharashtra school reopening, the minister clarified that it is not mandatory and the decision to send students to schools will be ultimately up to their parents.

Ms Gaikwad said, “Consent of parents is paramount to us, 81% of parents said in @scertmaha survey they want schools to reopen so on July 15, 8-12th Std. classes were started in corona-free villages. Parents will have the final say on the physical presence of their wards, attendance norms have been relaxed.”

Schools will be reopened with limited teaching hours, i.e. from three to four hours per day and no cultural gathering or sports events will be permitted, Maharashtra’s School Education Minister said. For emergency situations, schools will have to provide isolation facilities and tie-up with local health departments.

In Mumbai, Thane and 11 districts where Covid restrictions are in place, the district collectors have been empowered to assess risk locally and decide on reopening schools, the minister said. Ms Gaikwad tweeted, “For the safety of the staff and students, vaccination has been made compulsory for teachers/staff. We have also constituted a task force headed by the collector/commissioner to monitor the resumption and safe operations of schools.”

The school will be held in shifts or alternate days to make sure that only 15-20 students are present in class at a given time. One student will sit in a bench and a distance of six feet will be maintained between two benches. “Every school will have to formulate a safe transportation plan for the students.”

“In the event of the sickness of the student or a family member, the student is advised to stay at home. It will be the responsibility of the school to ensure such a student’s learning gap is compensated by the school,” Ms Gaikwad added.

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