Mumbai: Schools to reopen for Classes 8 to 12 from October 4, says BMC

Photo for representational purpose. Pic/ istock

Schools in Mumbai will reopen for Classes 8 to 12 from October 4, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said on Wednesday.

"For the rest of the classes we will take a decision in November. All Covid-19 SoPs issued by the government will be implemented," he added as per an ANI tweet.

The Maharashtra government had earlier announced the resumption of physical classes in schools from October 4. The decision was taken after consulting health officials as well as the state government's Covid-19 task force, state Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad had said.

Also Read: Maharashtra schools set to reopen on October 4: All you need to know

Here are some standard operating procedures that need to be followed by the schools:

• If possible have health clinic in schools, take body temperature daily
• Encourage students to walk to the school, ‘one seat one student' in school buses
• Encourage online homework or get it done in the classroom
• Sport in which close physical contact is unavoidable is not allowed. In individual sports, precautions should be taken. Have eyes on unfit players. Physical training with proper distance between students may be allowed
• Look out for students showing symptoms like breathing uneasiness, rashes, cold, temperature, red eyes, split lips, swollen fingers, omitting, gastric pain. Refer them to doctors
• Teachers should observe students showing behaviour patterns like mood swings, depression, loss of interest in academic activities and communicate with them
• Teachers should not force students into academics from day one and give them a few weeks to adjust. Covid-19-affected but fully cured students should be treated at par with others
• Parents, teachers should meet regularly and discuss Covid-19-appropriate protocols like personal hygiene, cleaning of masks
• Schools are allowed to raise resources through CSR