All classes to open in Maharashtra on Wednesday, plan for Mumbai likely today – Times of India

MUMBAI: Physical schools will reopen for all classes in the state from Wednesday, even as the state began taking measures to tackle the new Omicron variant. Schools and parents are treading cautiously.
The final decision on reopening rests with civic chiefs and collectors. In Mumbai, a decision on reopening is expected on Tuesday. The government circular issued on Monday following a cabinet meeting allows reopening classes 1-7 in cities and classes 1-4 in rural areas.
Schools can bring in students in a staggered manner and attendance will continue to be voluntary.
State school education minister Varsha Gaikwad said, “The government is sensitive to the possibility of a third wave and no laxity in implementation of the standard operating procedure will be permitted.”
Health minister Rajesh Tope said as no case of the newly detected variant has been detected in the state, there is no reason why schools should not reopen as planned. “All the sectors which have been allowed to reopen will continue to function. Even schools have been allowed to reopen based on the go-ahead given by the pediatric task force and the health department,” said Tope.
Existing healthy practices such as masks and social distancing will continue. Staff and school bus operators will have to be fully vaccinated. Schools will set up health clinics or tie up with the local health department for emergencies.
Schools will be on for three to four hours without any recess. Cultural and sporting events will not be allowed. Schools should avoid science experiments for Class 1-4 students where possible or take small groups.
In Mumbai, schools had got down to planning a staggered reopening last week. The initial enthusiasm of sending children to school after 19 months seemed to be waning following news of the southern African variant. “Parents who had given their consent are doing a rethink. We too want to adopt a wait-and-watch policy for a few days after reopening,” said the principal of a school in Kurla.
Attendance of Class 8-10 students that had picked up after the Diwali vacations starting November 22, is shifting to online classes, said teachers. “Our attendance was around 85% last week. On Monday, we had more students in virtual classes,” said a Sakinaka school teacher. Parents said confusion over Omicron may put a break on schools. “My son is enjoying school but for the next few weeks we have asked him to attend online,” said a parent of a Class 10 student from Goregaon.