Mumbai: Maharashtra government has decided to reopen schools from June 15 in a phased manner.
State’s School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said that a decision has been taken for phase-wise reopening of schools, starting with those in non-red zones first.
During the fourth phase of lockdown, the state had identified municipal corporation areas in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nagpur and 15 other cities as red zones and eased restrictions in orange and green zones from May 22 onwards.
“Schools would now be running classes in shifts with shortened school hours, banned morning assemblies and sporting activities with proper social distancing,” the minister was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
“The option of pairing students with odd roll numbers and calling them in the first shift and the ones with even roll numbers in the second shift is being considered. Another option is to call a batch of class students every alternate day. At all cost, physical distancing will have to be maintained with only one student permitted on one desk,” she added.
The minister has also hinted at a new standard of operation(s) for the schools. “As far as schools in Mumbai, other red zones are concerned, things are needed to improve further before we plan the reopen of schools” she said.
Maharashtra is still reeling under coronavirus scare with cases spiking with every passing day, therefore, any gradual reopening of school requires due planning and a controlled schedule, she added.