Min: physical classes only for subjects like math and science
CM Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday allowed schools in the state to reopen for classes IX through XII after Diwali. At Saturday’s meeting, state school education minister Varsha Gaikwad said local administrations will carry out a massive campaign of RT-PCR tests of teachers between November 17 and 22. Only those teachers whose reports are negative will be able to conduct classes. In addition, he said that in order to follow Covid protocols, a thermal assessment of all students will be conducted before they are allowed into classrooms and the seating arrangement will be changed to allow only one child per bench.
“Classes will be held on alternate days. And the physical classes will not last more than four hours. Only selected subjects such as math and science will be taken for physical classes where teacher intervention is required, the remaining subjects will continue online, ”Gaikwad said.
Senior officials said starting physical schools is not mandatory for schools and even students. Online classes will continue for all subjects. A parental consent form will be required to allow students to attend classes.
Most schools can still decide to wait and watch. The principals TOI spoke with said they would consult parents about their views before receiving a call about the reopening.
Gaikwad said the department will hold talks with local administrations and schools will start in stages. As part of the new normal, there will be no tiffin breaks for students; they will have to eat from home and go to school. The water bottles will have to be transported individually and the common places of filling of water will be suspended.
While the Center allowed the partial reopening of schools to higher standards as of September 21, the Maharashtra The government had decided at a cabinet meeting in October that the state would think about this after Diwali.
Thackeray said the next few days after Diwali will be crucial as cases are expected to increase. In addition, there are several schools, especially government ones, which have been turned into quarantine centers. These centers cannot yet be closed.
“A decision must be made by the local administration. An alternative site can be made available for classes to be held in such schools, ”Thackeray said. The CM further said that even for schools and students’ parents, it is important that all guidelines are followed thoroughly. “Classroom disinfection, staff and student evaluation are important, and parents should be aware that if there is someone sick in the family, students should not be sent to school.” State officials said the state will review the cases after Diwali, as experts warned of a possible increase, and there are parts of the state where the temperature drops sharply and where the cases could increase.
According to the SoP project, sports, morning prayers and gatherings will not be allowed as they can generate crowds, and wearing masks at school will be mandatory. The education department had issued a SoP for the first time in June and another more recently in October.
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