MUMBAI: Schools for classes IX to XII in rural areas of
Palghar district are likely to open in the first week of December.
The state education department had allowed schools to open from Monday. However, with rising Covid-19 cases and the possibility of a second wave, schools in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and
Panvel on Friday decided to stay shut until December 31.
Palghar district collector Dr Manek Gursale on Monday, following a meeting with guardian minister Dadaji Bhuse, ordered schools in rural areas to obtain consent letters from parents till November 30 and open classes IX to XII from December first week. “After obtaining the consent letter from parents, school committees can take a decision to begin classes,” said Dr Gursale. Schools in containment zones, however, will remain shut. Schools located in villages having a population of over 5,000 will remain shut this year.
Schools in the municipal limits of
Vasai-Virar, Palghar, Dahanu,
Jawahar will remain shut till December 31. Schools in the nagar panchayats of Talasari, Wada, Mokhada and Vikramgad and in the gram panchayats of the Boisar and
Tarapur industrial belts will also be shut till the year end. Schools in these urban areas have been directed to obtain consent letters from parents to be able to begin physical classes from January. Parents of class IX to XII students in most schools were against physical classes.
Teachers will have to do their RT-PCR tests only before the schools open. Those who have recovered from Covid-19 need not take the tests. Teachers will have to make arrangements for their stay in the villages where the schools are located. Schools have been instructed to sanitize their premises and make use of open spaces to conduct classes.
Students in rural schools where issues of E-learning and internet connectivity persist have been asked to start physical classes on a priority basis from next month.
A decision on opening of the government run tribal schools cum hostels will be taken soon, said Dr Gursale. Most of the tribal schools and hostels have turned into Covid care centres.
Schools in the state have not been able to open this academic year due to the pandemic. Classes have so far been held online.