MAHARASHTRA ALLOWS SCHOOLS TO REOPEN AFTER DIWALI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday has allowed schools in the state to reopen for classes IX to XII after Diwali.

The CM chaired a meeting to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that schools must follow. Physical classes only for subjects like maths and science will take place.

At Saturday’s meeting, state school education minister Varsha Gaikwad said a mass drive of RT-PCR testing of teachers will be conducted by local administrations between 17 and 22 November. Only those teachers whose reports are negative will be allowed to conduct classes.

She further added that to follow Covid-19 protocols, thermal screening of all students will be done before they are allowed inside classrooms and seating arrangements will be changed to allow only one child per bench.

“Classes will be held on an alternate-day basis. And physical classes will not be on for more than four hours. Only select subjects such as maths and science where teachers’ intervention is required will be taken up for physical classes, the remaining subjects will continue online,”

Uddhav Thackeray said that the next few days after Diwali would be crucial as cases are expected to increase. Also, there are several schools, especially government ones, that were converted into quarantine centers. These centers cannot be closed yet.

“A decision by the local administration should be taken. An alternate site can be made available for classes to be held for such schools,” Thackeray said. The CM further said that even for schools and parents of students, all guidelines must be followed thoroughly.

“Sanitisation of classrooms, screening of staff and students are important, and parents have to be made aware that if there is anyone unwell in a family, students should not be sent to school. State officials said the state will review cases post-Diwali as experts have warned of a possible surge, and there are parts in the state where the temperature falls sharply and where cases could rise,” Thackeray said.

According to the draft SoP, sports, morning prayers, and gatherings will not be allowed as these can lead to crowds, and wearing masks while in school will be mandatory.