Schools To Re-Open In Phases, No Online Courses For Classes I And II

Source: The week

On Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackrey announced that schools that do not fall under red containment zones of Covid-19 in the state can be reopened considering necessary precautions against the disease.

He further added that schools should be started in rural and non-rural areas where the virus is not prevalent and the digital method of education should be made a pilot project as soon as possible. In a meeting held this afternoon in the presence of School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad, the Chief Minister reiterated that digital education should start where schools are not started. Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta, Additional Chief Secretary of School Education Vandana Krishna, Secretary of Higher Education Sourav Vijay were also present.

A meeting will soon be held with school management committees and local committees incorporating a discussion on plans to reopen schools and ensuring adequate facilities of sanitation, disinfection, and water supply. Regular parent-teacher meetings were also recommended by the CM.

Arrangements will also be made to facilitate education for children with no access to digital facilities such as Google classrooms, webinars, the creation of e-educational materials, cybersecurity, or the use of mobile apps.

The Planning (for schools outside red zones)        

After considering parents' opinions about online classes for younger children, the CM said that there will be no online classes for such small kids. However, for children in classes III, IV, and V, online and digital education will be for one hour daily; for the children of higher classes, it will be for two hours daily.

Plans for cyclone-hit schools of Maharashtra's Konkan region

The Chief Minister said that the schools which have been damaged due to the cyclone in Konkan will be given funds for immediate repairs. The education department has demanded a fund of Rs 28 crores.