State Covid-19 task force in doubts over reopening of city schools for all ages

While many parents continue to demand reopening of schools for Stds I-VII, the state COVID-19 task force on Monday hit a roadblock, with members divided over whether to resume classes for primary students and keep campuses open for the seniors. At a meeting held with the CM, a few advised closing schools until vaccination starts for children, citing the Omicron threat. Others suggested waiting three months before taking any decision.

"Will schools reopen from December 15, amid an increase in the number of Omicron cases across the state?" ask parents as well managements in the city.

A Std I student attends online classes at her home in Dadar. File pic/Atul Kamble

The state education department had announced resuming in-person classes for students of Stds I to VII from December 1. However, the reopening was deferred to December 15 in Mumbai and a few other urban areas amid the threat of Omicron--the new variant of novel Coronavirus.

Parents had been eagerly waiting to send their children to school after over a year of online learning. The schools in the city, which were preparing to welcome their primary students from December 15, are now awaiting clarity.

"With increasing concerns and changing restrictions [around Omicron], we want to wait and watch before finally beginning the reopening preparations," said the principal of a government-aided state board school in the eastern suburbs.

Students head to their classrooms at a Sion school. File pic/Suresh Karkera

Schools want to be sure of reopening, as it involves costs for complete sanitisation of the premises and for making other arrangements. Most of them are currently in the process of conducting polls to understand parents' opinions.

"In most cases, parents, who were more than willing to send their wards back on campus, are now confused because of the current COVID-19 situation. They want to wait for a few more days for further clarity on the new variant. Moreover, schools will now close for Christmas holidays. What is the point of reopening now, in December?" asked the principal of another school from south Mumbai.

However, there is no confusion among the non-state board schools. They have decided against reopening in December, as they are currently conducting board examinations.

Amid the confusion, there are parents who are getting impatient with the delay in reopening. "They are our children. If we are consenting, then nobody else should stop reopening classes. Children have been caged inside homes for too long now," said a parent. Annoyed at the delay, parents plan to meet the BMC commissioner, and minister Aaditya Thackeray who had earlier listened to their concerns.

An official from the school education department, at Mantralaya told mid-day, "We have already allowed reopening and have issued SOPs. Now the decision is in the hands of local civic bodies based on the COVID-19 condition in their jurisdiction. However, as of today, no civic body has suggested any further postponement."

Dec 15
Day schools are scheduled to reopen for Stds I-VII

Task force divided on physical schooling

Ambiguity over whether or not to continue physical schooling continues as the state task force members remain divided on it at the weekly meeting. According to a few members, with Omicron cases being detected in the state and across the country, it is advisable to keep physical schooling on hold till vaccination for children gets rolled out.

A few members felt that it is too early to decide on discontinuing physical schooling. "We should wait for the next three months and decide on whether or not to stop physical schooling. In the coming weeks, we will have a better idea on where the cases are going," said a task force member who didn't wish to be named.

The final advisory decision will be taken by the state paediatric task force, which will be meeting on Tuesday. However, state paediatric task force members, while speaking to mid-day said physical schooling should continue by following the guidelines laid down by them and following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour."Such variants will keep coming. We should not stop physical schooling," said a paediatric task force member.