As D-Day looms, one school in each ward turns testing centre

Ahead of the November 23 reopening of schools one in every ward has turned into a COVID testing facility as RTPCR tests are mandatory for teachers and nonteaching staff Teachers were queuing up at such schools on Thursday The process has been streamlined only now with schools being turned into COVID test centres for three daysCivic staff sanitise a BMCrun school in Mumbai Central PicBipin KokateAlthough parents have the choice to consider their options and say no for sending their kids to school teachers have no choice but to resume going to schoolSharayu Mane teacher Chogle High School BorivliThe state government had initially asked staffers to get tested between November 17 and 22 Soon after this local administrations were asked to make tests available for teachers for free However the process was chaotic as teachers were confused over where to get tested and were vary about going to civic test centresTeachers and other school staffers are happy with the exclusive testing centres PicsSatej ShindeWe are glad that the education department stepped in and test arrangements were made at schools I am more comfortable about coming here for a test as I know other teachers am confident of social distancing as there wont be huge crowds and more importantly this is easily accessible Anil Kumar Sharma supervisor of Raj High School in Kandivli who visited G H High School in Borivli for a COVID19 test along with his school staffChetna Oza centre principal of G H High School said the testing process at her school was going on smoothlyShivraj Kendre a nonteaching staff from another school at the Borivli centre said I was home until now as there was no clarity on where I needed to go for the test Some of my friends went to BMC health centres but did not have a good experience I decided to wait and watch and on Wednesday night we were given the wardwise list of schools for testsAlso ReadMumbai Want academic year but we dont want to send kids to school says parentsAnil Kumar Sharma supervisor Raj High School KandivliTeaching and nonteaching staff have to report to test centres between November 19 and 21 Tests will be done based on Aadhaar card and a school identity cardShivraj Kendre nonteaching staffOur school is a COVID test facility Our staff members and those from schools in our ward have been coming for tests Our staff is assisting the education department to conduct the tests The process is going smoothly said Chetna Oza principal G H High School where on Day 1 200 testswere conductedIs one test enoughWhile teachers are happy with the exclusive service there are concerns if just one test before starting is enough Sharayu Mane a teacher from Chogale High School said We will be confident at the time of joining school But how can we be certain that well remain uninfected in the future We have seen that wherever schools resumed infections increased too as people from different areas come to one place Moreover teachers will also be travelling to reach school Instead of doing the test just this once I feel it should be done periodically as schools reopenKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news