Only 34 per cent of rural schools in Maharashtra are back to physical classes: Govt data

State government’s data reveals that only 10 per cent of the eligible students have returned to schools

While the school education department has issued a government resolution (GR) allowing reopening of schools, the ground reality doesn’t seem to be quite an encouraging one. The state government’s data reveals that since schools in rural areas were allowed to reopen last month, only 34 per cent of the institutes resumed in-person classes. Also, just 10 per cent of the students have been attending these classes.

The government issued the notification on Tuesday allowing schools to reopen in urban areas as well. As per the GR, Std VIII to Std XII can resume classes in urban areas and in rural areas Std V to VII have been given permission to hold in-person classes.

The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) collated data of all the schools that reopened, till the end of July. The objective was to understand the ground reality in the rural areas of the state. As per data, 36,835 schools were eligible to reopen in July, but out of these, only 12,725 (34.55 per cent) started physical classes. While these standards cater to about 86,33,805 students, only 89,88,94 (10.41 per cent) have actually returned to schools.

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

“Data shows that even though the government may be in a hurry to reopen schools, parents are still not willing to send their children. More so, this data also reveals that several schools are unprepared to reopen,” shared Swapna Keole, a parent from Bhandup.

“Even colleges are not talking about reopening or resuming physical classes as yet. On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court quashed the CET for FYJC admission because it will not be safe. While on the same day the government issued a GR allowing reopening of schools. This only adds to confusion leading to stress among parents,” shared Manjit Chohan, another parent. 

12,725
No. of schools in rural areas that have resumed in-person classes

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