Government allows schools to reopen, but BMC says, ‘not just yet’

Civic chief says they will wait until after Diwali and see how the situation unfolds before taking a decision

The school education department issued a Government Resolution (GR) on Tuesday permitting city schools to reopen from August 17, but Mumbai has to wait for a while. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that they would wait until after Diwali to see how the situation unfolds and take a decision on reopening schools thereafter.

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As per the GR, in-person classes can start for Std VIII-XII in urban areas, and for rural areas permission has been given for Std V-VII. In rural areas, the higher standards have already resumed classes as part of the phase I of reopening schools. Even as the GR permits reopening of schools under the ‘Back to School’ movement, the final decision has to be taken by local civic bodies by forming committees. In Mumbai, the committee will be headed by the BMC commissioner and comprise of three other officials from the medical and education department and ward level.

When contacted, BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said, “No reopening of schools for Mumbai as of now. It will be considered after Diwali depending upon the situation.”

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The GR further states, “The state government has been taking efforts to ensure that education reaches all through the online mode. But considering the digital divide, it cannot be ignored that some are away from online education. And so there is a need for a blended approach. Since it has now been over a year that schools are closed, it is having adverse effects on children’s physical and mental growth. 

Delay in reopening of schools means more difficulties in resolving these issues. As per the fourth sero survey, 57.2 per cent of children in the six to 17 years age group have already developed antibodies. In a recent survey by the State Council for Educational Research and Training, over 80 per cent of parents in the state had voted for reopening of schools.”

Some of the SOPs attached with the GR include physical distancing, wearing of facemasks and washing of hands among all. Each class can have only 15-20 students.

(With inputs by Prajakta Kasale)

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