No decision on Mumbai yet as institutions and parents from rest of state welcome move
Students outside St Stanislaus school, Bandra West. File pics
Pandemic-HIT schools and junior colleges across Maharashtra will reopen from October 4. In urban areas, in-person classes from Std V to VII won’t 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 lessons.
Rurak schools are already running Std VIII to XII offline lessons with due safety precautions only in the places where viral infection is bare minimum.
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Junior college students wait to complete admission-related formalities at SIES College, Sion, last year
School education minister Varsha Gaikwad announced the decision on Friday, calling it final. “About 70 per cent of parents wanted schools reopened. We conducted a survey to find these results,” she said, adding that the decision was taken in consultation with the COVID-19 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 state-run and private residential schools will have to wait further to resume. “We haven’t decided on the residential schools as yet,” she said.
Gaikwad 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 self-governments and healthcare centres.
Gaikwad said the local administration has been empowered to resume and shut, depending on the COVID situation in their respective areas.
“Schools will have to seek the parents’ consent to have their students present in the offline classes. Attendance for those who don’t attend offline classes will not be mandatory and the absence will not affect the benefits that government schemes provide,” she said, adding that students will be given the option to attend online classes.
According 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 follow-ups.
In Mumbai, the fate of schools will be decided by the BMC chief. “We 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 commissioner’s nod,” said BMC Education officer Raju Tadvi, adding that the task force’s inputs will be taken into consideration for decision on Mumbai schools. After the go-ahead by the civic chief, BMC’s education department will issue guidelines for all schools, irrespective of boards.
Colleges to follow suit, soon
Higher and technical education minister Uday Samant said in Pune that it was high time colleges resumed offline classes. “I think we will be able to do it post Diwali. We have sought reports from vice-chancellors. The CM will take a final decision,” he said.
70 per cent
Population of parents who wanted schools to reopen as per recent govt survey
SOPs that schools/parents are expected to follow
In 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, ‘one seat one student’ 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. COVID-affected but fully cured students should be treated at par with others
. Parents, teachers should meet regularly and discuss COVID-appropriate protocols like personal hygiene, cleaning of masks
. Schools are allowed to raise resources through CSR
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