Maharashtra schools to open from October 4

PandemicHIT schools and junior colleges across Maharashtra will reopen from October 4 In urban areas inperson classes from Std V to VII wonrsquot resume but physical classes will be conducted for Std VIII to XII students Primary classes from Std I to Std IV will not resume anywhere in the state but rural schools will have Std V to VII students attend offline lessonsRurak schools are already running Std VIII to XII offline lessons with due safety precautions only in the places where viral infection is bare minimumJunior college students wait to complete admissionrelated formalities at SIES College Sion last yearSchool education minister Varsha Gaikwad announced the decision on Friday calling it final ldquoAbout 70 per cent of parents wanted schools reopened We conducted a survey to find these resultsrdquo she said adding that the decision was taken in consultation with the COVID19 Paediatric Task Force and with the approval of CM Uddhav Thackeray The education department had taken a similar decision last month but it had to withdraw following concerns over a potential third wave The minister said the staterun and private residential schools will have to wait further to resume ldquoWe havenrsquot decided on the residential schools as yetrdquo she saidGaikwad said the task force worked with education department to prepare the standard operating procedures SoPs that will have to be followed by the schools students parents local selfgovernments and healthcare centresGaikwad said the local administration has been empowered to resume and shut depending on the COVID situation in their respective areasldquoSchools will have to seek the parentsrsquo consent to have their students present in the offline classes Attendance for those who donrsquot attend offline classes will not be mandatory and the absence will not affect the benefits that government schemes providerdquo she said adding that students will be given the option to attend online classesAccording to the minister wearing school uniforms will not be compulsory Doctor parents will be involved in the scheme of management and local government healthcare centres will be attached with the schools for followupsIn Mumbai the fate of schools will be decided by the BMC chief ldquoWe have been working on the plan to reopen schools post Diwali However considering the new development we will act as per orders of the BMC commissioner Related orders for city schools along with required guidelines will be issued post commissionerrsquos nodrdquo said BMC Education officer Raju Tadvi adding that the task forcersquos inputs will be taken into consideration for decision on Mumbai schools After the goahead by the civic chief BMCrsquos education department will issue guidelines for all schools irrespective of boardsColleges to follow suit soonHigher and technical education minister Uday Samant said in Pune that it was high time colleges resumed offline classes ldquoI think we will be able to do it post Diwali We have sought reports from vicechancellors The CM will take a final decisionrdquo he said70 per centPopulation of parents who wanted schools to reopen as per recent govt surveySOPs that schoolsparents are expected to followIn urban areas students from Std V to VII will continue to have online classes If possible have health clinic in schools take body temperature daily Encourage students to walk to the school lsquoone seat one studentrsquo on school buses Encourage online homework or get it done in the classroom Sport in which close physical contact is unavoidable is not allowed In individual sports precautions should be taken Have eyes on unfit players Physical training with proper distance between students may be allowed Look out for students showing symptoms like breathing uneasiness rashes cold temperature red eyes split lips swollen fingers omitting gastric pain Refer them to doctors Teachers should observe students showing behaviour patterns like mood swings depression loss of interest in academic activities and communicate with them Teachers should not force students into academics from day one and give them a few weeks to adjust with schools COVIDaffected but fully cured students should be treated at par with others Parents teachers should meet regularly and discuss COVIDappropriate protocols like personal hygiene cleaning of masks Schools are allowed to raise resources through CSR