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

In rural areas, schools will resume for Class 5 to Class 12, and in the urban areas, for Class 8 to Class 12

The Maharashtra government recently 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.

Here’s everything you need to know

Mumbai schools

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.

Rural and urban schools

In rural areas, schools will resume for Class 5 to Class 12, and in the urban areas, for Class 8 to Class 12. However, classes will not resume for standards 1st to 4th in rural areas and Class 1 to Class 7 in urban areas. The government has also said that it is not mandatory for students to attend physical classes and the consent of parents will be required if students are willing to attend.

Standard operating procedures (SoPs)

The state education department worked with Covid-19 Task force to prepare the standard operating procedures (SoPs) that are to be followed by the students and teachers.

•    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

Also read: Mumbai: 67 per cent parents want their children back in school, finds survey

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