Will Mumbai schools reopen on October 4?

As institutions and parents wait anxiously for clarity, BMC yet to announce its decision

Even as the day—October 4—when schools across the state are scheduled to resume in-person classes approaches, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to provide any clarity on whether city schools will open up. While the government has approved reopening of schools, the final decision regarding the city is expected to come from the civic body. While schools need clarity to ensure safety protocols are in place, the authorities said that they have already started receiving queries from parents.

Speaking to mid-day, Dean and CEO of Cathedral and John Connon School in South Mumbai, Meera Isaacs, said, “Once the reopening is confirmed, we will offer hybrid mode of learning as there will still be some parents who will not be comfortable in sending their wards to school. Accordingly, we will have to make arrangements in our classrooms, so that when a teacher is taking a class in the school, even those connected virtually can attend the lecture. It will not be a regular time-table to ensure social distancing and other rules are followed. But this plan has to be prepared well and communicated to teachers and parents. Considering all of this, it will be great to have some clarity from the BMC.”

Adding to this, Dr. Veena Shrivastava, principal of Gopi Birla School, said, “Some clarity from the BMC will really help as all schools are waiting to start in-person classes. We are ready with a plan, but without proper guidelines and a go-ahead, we cannot start. Even students and parents are eagerly waiting to get back to school.”

Initially many schools in the city thought that they would reopen after the Diwali break, based on earlier talks with the BMC, but with the government resolution issued last week, schools now seek clarity. “A confirmation from the BMC regarding reopening of schools will put to rest the speculations. As the decision has been deferred on earlier occasions, we are not sure, but definitely hopeful. Students have been expressing their desire to return to school. The education department circular does provide guidelines but if any further rules are needed to be followed, they can be implemented,” said Prachi Ranadive, principal of Shishuvan School.

When contacted, Francis Joseph, president of SLN Global Network, said, “Since the decision regarding reopening schools in Mumbai is still pending, especially after the state government has given a date, schools are likely to have questions since they need to prepare for it. But I will suggest that schools should not consider October 4 as a deadline. Individual schools can take a bit more time to prepare their reopening plan after a final decision from the BMC.”

Schools say they have already started receiving queries from parents regarding resumption of in-person classes. Representation pic

Joseph also shared that the civic body and schools should have liberty in deciding on the classes. “For example, if reopening classes for Std VIII to XII in Mumbai is difficult, maybe only board exam years – Std X and XII can start operations initially and schools can move ahead gradually.” As per a survey conducted by him on social media, 43 per cent parents want schools to reopen post Diwali, while 34 per cent want schools to start from October 4.

Academic year deferred by month

Senior colleges affiliated to universities are also expected to reopen soon. However, the higher education department has deferred the academic year by a month. There are laws defining the academic year and the time-table for conducting the approved courses. But the pandemic has hit the schedule hard. The state cabinet on Tuesday decided to amend the University Act 2016 by promulgating an ordinance. The change will ease terms for starting new colleges, new courses, subjects, additional sections and satellite centres in the year 2021-22, because the permission process has been delayed due to the pandemic. The new provision will provide colleges another 30 days to complete the due process. 

- Dharmendra Jore

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