State Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said on Friday that we come to this decision to reopen the school after remaining closed for over 10 months amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maharashtra school will open for classes 5 to 8 from January 27, 2021.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, said that schools and colleges in Mumbai will stay shut till further order. The civic body in Mumbai circulating fresh guidelines regarding the reopening of schools and colleges and said, “all schools and colleges of various mediums will remain shut till further orders in view of a second wave of the virus in other countries and in some states”.
Earlier, schools have been reopened for classes 9 to 12 in parts of states this month based on the COVID-19 situation in respective areas. Staff and teachers of schools and colleges have been instructed to follow the proper guidelines regarding pandemic.
In continuation of our plan to reopen schools in a phase wise manner, today I discussed my department's proposal to reopen schools for Std 5th to 8th from January 27 onwards with @OfficeofUT ji, who was kind enough to approve it. pic.twitter.com/zM1Ksfaush
— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) January 15, 2021
Varsha Gaikwad added, “Earlier, schools for classes 9 and 10 commenced after all teachers underwent RT-PCR tests and premises were sanitized. Similar measures will be taken before reopening schools for classes 5 to 8”.
I have informed the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray that schools can be reopened for classes 5 to 8 from January 27.
She also ensures students and parent that safety measures will be taken, she tweeted –
I've assured him and would like to assure all students and parents that our SOPs are guided by the principle of ensuring continuity of education in the safest possible manner for our children.@CMOMaharashtra @AjitPawarSpeaks @bb_thorat @scertmaha @INCMaharashtra @INCMumbai
— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) January 15, 2021
She further added, all the local bodies including Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and District Civil Surgeons will analysis and assess the ground situation before the final step of reopening of all schools and colleges. Only after taking proper assessment, schools will reopen.
Earlier this week, the civic body permitted all the state, national and international boards to conduct their scheduled examination physically as per the timetable.
In its previous guidelines, BMC had decided to keep all schools and colleges in the city shut till January 15, 2021.
Click here for more Education News