Maharashtra: When Will Schools Re-Open? Final Decision Likely After Diwali; Here's What Ajit Pawar Said

The decision on reopening schools in Maharashtra will be considered after Diwali after assessing the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state.

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School Re-Opening Dates: Even as the Centre in its Unlock 5 guidelines, has given the State/ UT flexibility to take a decision on re-opening of schools after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner, the most affected state Maharasthra will take a call on the issue post Diwali. The decision on reopening schools in Maharashtra will be considered after Diwali after assessing the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state, as per the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Schools and colleges in the state have remained closed since March after a lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19. In the new normal times, the online learning has taken over the traditional way of teaching. The state deputy minister informed that schools in the state will not reopen till the festival of lights is over (that is around mid-November). He clarified that schools will not reopen in the state until Diwali is over and added Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will assess the situation (before taking any decision) after Diwali. The minister also pointed out that those states which reopened schools in a hurried manner have seen students being infected by the deadly disease. While stating that these states had to close schools again, he did not mention the name of these states. While unveiling the guidelines under Unlock 5 for reopening of schools and colleges, the MHA said, “Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so. Students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents. Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent. States/UTs will prepare their own SOPs regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education… keeping local requirements in view.” As on Thursday, Maharashtra has reported 13,395 new cases, taking its tally to 14,93,884 on Thursday, while a higher number of 15,575 patients were discharged following recovery, as per the health department official.