Maharashtra schools for classes 1-12 to reopen from Jan 24, check official statement here

Maharashtra schools reopening: Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has anunced that schools for classes 1-12th will be reopened from Monday, January 24, 2022. It has been anunced that schools are being reopened only on condition that COVID guidelines will be followed. Students, teachers as well as staff members will have to wear masks, maintain social distance and use sanitizers whenever required. decision comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray agreed to proposal which was prepared by State Education Department. 

"From 24 (January) we will reopening schools for classes 1-12th with COVID protocols; CM has agreed to our proposal," Varsha Gaikwad, Maharashtra School Education Minister

Schools were closed till Feb 15

Considering rise in COVID cases, state government had closed schools and or educational institutions till February 15, 2022. However offline classes were continued for class 10th and 12th students. With new order, all government, as well as private schools, will be reopened from Monday, January 24, 2022. After school closure, few education experts and parents took to social media to demand reopening of schools. y are demanding schools to reopen and function with adequate COVID restrictions. One of major reasons is that online education is still t accessible by many. 

“After this demand, it was decided that  local administration in city where number of patients is less, should review and re-open school, a proposal in this regard has been submitted to Chief Minister Uday Thackeray,” informed State Minister of Education, Varsha Gaikwad.  

School Education Department prepared a proposal 

State Education Minister has demanded that vaccination for 15 to 18  group should be done at school level. SOP’s have also been prepared for ensuring  complete vaccination of teachers and teaching staff in schools. This will ensure safety of both staff members as well as children. School Education Department submitted a proposal to Maharashtra CM. proposal requested for schools in low case areas to be opened immediately. To be ted that state government directed schools to shift to online education to ensure safety of children. However, children in poor and rural areas may miss out on proper education due to inaccessibility. In some places in rural areas, even internet connection is t available properly.