Maharashtra colleges to reopen from February 15: Higher Education Minister

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Colleges in Maharashtra are set to resume physical classes from February 15 after the longest gap ever amid the pandemic. Colleges will not have students more than 50 per cent of its capacity and the 75 per cent attendance mandate will be relaxed for this academic year. Even as colleges reopen, both offline and online mode will continue; not only for classes and lectures but also for exams.

The state Higher and Technical Education minister Uday Samant announced it on Wednesday in a press conference. All universities will have to take final decision based on their local conditions and restart adhering to specific guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission in this regard. The plan of reopening colleges will unfold in phases, where phase 1 will be from February 15 to March 5. After this, a review can be taken to the next phase. No hostels are given permission to resume offering accommodation in phase 1 as per social distancing guidelines issued by the UGC.

"Reopening of colleges has been under consideration for some time. But taking expert opinions and understanding local conditions delayed the decision. It is important to note that even as state has approved reopening of colleges, online services are to continue for now before a new decision is taken regarding it," said Samant.