After 18 months, schools reopen across Maharashtra for physical classes

The Maharashtra education department conducted a meeting on Sunday to take stock of the situation before resuming physical classes in schools

After being closed for about a year and a half, bells rang in the schools of Maharashtra on Monday.

Students were welcomed with flowers, school bands, balloons and cultural events -- in what was an emotional moment for teachers as well.

“We have reopened the schools. Let’s carry it forward with confidence that we will not allow it to shut again,” Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.

He asked the schools to keep the doors and windows of classrooms open, "be closer to clean air and nature", and cited the example of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan. “We have to maintain cleanliness, ensure social distancing and compulsory wearing of masks,” he said.

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Several from the council of ministers of the Maha Vikas Agahdi government visited the schools and interacted with students.

“On the first day of reopening of schools, we reiterate our commitment to continuous education and well-being of all students,” state’s School Education Minister Prof Varsha Gaikwad said.

The schools are following a series of protocols and SOPs in wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the threat of the third wave.

The School Education Department also launched the “Majhe Vidyarthi, Majhi Jawabdari”.

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“The mission defines the roles and responsibilities of schools, principals, teachers, school management committee and parents in ensuring that our education systems adapt to a post-pandemic situation and facilitate the continuous learning and evaluation of every child,” Prof Gaikwad said.

While in urban areas, classes 8-12 reopened for offline classes, in rural areas, classes 5-12 started again.

For a smooth transition of teaching-learning activities to offline classes, effective coordination between Education and Health departments, and local administration will have to be maintained, Prof Gaikwad said adding that she has instructed education officers to personally visit schools and monitor reopenings.

The Maharashtra State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) said it will be helping out schools to gradually reopening schools.

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