Schools in Maharashtra to open from October 4 ; revised SOP’s released
The much awaited decision on reopening schools was finally taken yesterday, on September 24, 2021. Schools in Maharashtra are shut since March 2020.
Varsha Gaikwad, minister for state, education, said, “Schools can be reopened soon. In rural areas classes will resume for standard 5 – 12 while in urban areas from standard 8 to 12. The state government is taking th efforts to bring back children to the schools. Local authorities have been given the powers.”
Revised SOP’s for opening schools :
On August 10 this year, the Maharashtra School Education Department had issued detailed SOPs regarding school reopenings, some new additions to the SOPs have been made following consultations with the state’s paediatric task force,various stakeholders, and the guidance of CM of Maharashtra.
Varsha Gaikwad said, “Based on detailed deliberations with the paediatric task force, all stakeholders & guidance of @CMOMaharashtra,SOPs for school reopenings have been further strengthened. Schools can restart physical classes for Std 5-12th in rural areas & Std 8-12th in urban areas from October 4.”
Her speech can be viewed on this link : https://t.co/KWKocMMvep
Below are the sets of guidelines.
Salient features:
*Consent of parents is paramount. Parents will have final say on physical presence of their wards, attendance norms have been relaxed.
*Full Covid-19 vaccination (both doses administered) compulsory for teachers/staff.
*A task force headed by the collector/commissioner to monitor the resumption and safe operations of schools.
*Schools to formulate a Safe Transport Plan for the students. Walk to School to be encouraged.
*Schools to work in shifts/alternate days as the case may be to ensure only 15-20 students are present in class at a given time. One student will be seated per bench; distance of 6 ft between benches.
*School hours to be limited to 3-4 hours per day. No cultural or sporting events requiring a gathering will be permitted in schools.
*Schools to provide isolation facilities and to tie up with local health department for any emergency situation. School-based health clinics to be set up with the help of the nearest public healthcare facility; regular #COVID19 temperature checks to be conducted.
*In the event of sickness of the student or a family member, the student is advised to stay at home. It will be the responsibility of the school to ensure such a student’s learning gap is compensated by the school.
- Classwork should be gradually increased; first couple of weeks can be used to acclimatise students, staff to being #BacktoSchool.
*A teacher’s role in helping the child transition #BacktoSchool will be the most. It is important to focus on bringing back the normalcy in the classroom environment again.
*Teachers to take special notice of mental health of a child.
#BacktoSchool2021
