With a drop in COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra government has taken the decision to reopen schools for students of class 9-12 from November 23. The announcement was made by School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad through video conference held by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, November 7.
The minister made it clear that schools will reopen under strict COVID-19 safety guidelines. Gaikwad also specified that the consent of parents will be required for students to attend classes from school.
While Chief Minister Uddah Thackeray said that the second wave of COVID-19 is expected by mid-December, therefore, the administration needs to be extra careful.
"We need to be extra cautious after Diwali. Quarantine centres in schools cannot be shut. The local administration can take the decision regarding alternative places for classrooms. Sanitization of schools, coronavirus tests for teachers and other precautions are a must," said the Chief Minister.
Thackeray specified that in no circumstances should a student be sent to school if he/she is ill or have a sick family member at home.
According to School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad, all teachers will have to undergo RT-PCR coronavirus tests between November 17 and 22 - just before schools reopen for students of class 9-12. Thermal screening of students will also be done, said the minister.
Following COVID rules, only one student will be seated per bench and classes will be held on alternate days. Only science, maths and English will be taught in schools while online classes will be held for other subjects, said Gaikwad.
Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 tally went past 85 lakh with 45,674 infections being reported in a day. The death toll climbed to 1,26,121 with 559 new fatalities.
While the number of people who recovered from the disease rose to 78,68,968 taking the national recovery rate to 92.49 per cent.