Mumbai schools can reopen from Monday

While letting local authorities have the final say regarding the resumption of physical classes of pre-primary and Stds I to XII, the government has said students can return to the offline mode of education from Monday, January 24. This includes Mumbai. Parents' consent will be required for students who attend physical classes.

In line with the State Govt's decision to let District Administrations take a call on school reopening, Mumbai's schools from pre- primary to 12th std will open with Covid SoPs from Monday, 24th. Keep the mask, and stay safe, while we can keep our learning going on (SIC)," tweeted City Suburban Guardian Minister Aaditya Thackeray.

Earlier on Thursday, School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had approved her department's proposal about reopening educational institutes. Covid-19's third wave had suspended classes in December 2021 with exceptions for the SSC and HSC students.

Students return to Balmohan Vidyamandir at Dadar on October 4, 2021. Pic/Ashish Raje

Even as parents and school bodies demanded physical classes, and some school organisations declared that they will reopen without the government's permission, the school education department acted early this week by moving a proposal before the CM, who approved it before the Cabinet met on Thursday. The primary condition will be adherence to Covid protocols and physical distancing.

Schools will reopen based on the Covid cases in a particular city or region. The local authorities will take a final call, said Gaikwad, adding that the parents' consent will be required for students willing to attend physical classes. Parents have been asked to monitor the child's health and take precautions and avoid sending him/her to school in case of illness.

Cases rising in some areas

Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the cabinet has discussed the resumption of physical classes. According to a presentation given to the Cabinet on Thursday, in the third wave of Covid-19, 10 districts together accounted for approximately 85 per cent cases in the state. But the good thing is that the cases are decreasing in Mumbai, Palghar, Thane and Raigad. However, in Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad districts, the case graph is going up. Pune and Aurangabad will not resume physical classes. Others are expected to decide their position soon, but there are chances that schools in rural areas where there aren't many cases, will be allowed to reopen.

Mumbai City Guardian Minister Aslam Sheikh said schools in Mumbai will also open their gates to students because the Covid cases were showing a downward trend. "Everything is allowed. Why not schools? The cases in Mumbai are fewer now," he said. Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant said his department will also propose to the CM to reopen the colleges and universities.

Tweet talk

Aaditya Thackeray@AUthackeray
‘In line with the State Govt's decision to let District Administrations take a call on school reopening, Mumbai's schools from pre- primary to 12th std will open with Covid SoPs from Monday, 24th. Keep the mask, and stay safe, while we can keep our learning going on'

Dec 2021
When offline classes were suspended due to the third wave