Maharashtra: 39 per cent schools in rural areas reopen

The numbers have increased as more areas received permission to reopen schools. Representation pic

Despite the growing demand for reopening schools, data from areas in the state where schools have reopened in August shows only a marginal increase in numbers (schools and students), from that of July. Figures indicate there still is a lot of apprehension about schools reopening from parents in sending children. But many from the education sector believe that this is all the more reason to start drawing a road-map for all classes in cities too, as all are likely to take cautious gradual steps toward reopening.

After schools were allowed to reopen last month in rural areas of Maharashtra for stds VIII to XII, only 34.55 per cent of them reopened, which was 12,725 from a total of 36,835 schools.

As per the data given by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), only 10.41 per cent students attended school, which was 8,98,894 from a total of 86,33,805. Now as per the updated statistics provided by the SCERT, there is a marginal increase in numbers. As per the August data, 38.18 per cent schools are operational now, which is 17,701 schools from a total of 46,365. In case of students, the figure has increased to 14.67 per cent, which is 15,12,404 students from a total of 1,03,07,457.

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"The increase is marginal. The number of total schools and students has increased with more areas getting permission to reopen them. But this increase in number shows that there is willingness. We are obviously not going to be back to old normal immediately. With concerns at hand, cautious steps are expected everywhere. The figures are rather promising and show that the numbers will increase gradually as more and more start gaining confidence to operate during the pandemic," said an official from the education department, adding the figures show the need to start drawing a roadmap for other areas and classes too. "Sudden shift is impossible in the current situation and complete closure of schools also has a dire impact on children," said the official.

17,701
No. of schools that have reopened in rural areas