Amid the growing scare of the third wave of the covid-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra government has decided to commence the offline classes for standards 1 to 12th. In an interview today, with a leading media house, Maharashtra School Education Minister, Varsha Gaikwad said, that they are going to re-open the schools for all students from January 24, 2022, onwards. Check out her complete statement below:
“From 24 (January) we will reopening schools for classes 1-12th with COVID protocols; CM has agreed to our proposal,” Varsha Gaikwad“
The approved order has been sent to the CMO for final approval and the complete details in writing are expected to be released either on January 21 or 22, 2022. She further said that the proposal includes a clause that it is totally up to the city administration if the situation is conducive to re-open the school after reviewing the current caseload in the city. The minister has also put forth the demand of conducting the vaccination amongst the 15 to 18 years old students at the school level so that not one student is left behind.
Students unhappy with decision to reopen schools in Maharashtra
Once this news broke, there was a disappointment amongst students and parents alike, who are not supportive of this decision of the state government. The parents exhibited their dismay on the microblogging site Twitter questioning the state government regarding their action plan to tackle the infection amongst the younger ones. While some are happy who are finding this move to be very refreshing for kids who have been affected the most by the pandemic.
One twitter user says that the decision should be upon the DMs as the covid cases severity varies from district to district. He expressed, “The reopening of schools should be left to the DMs of the respective cities. Some places are still covid hotspots. Just because Mumbai is showing a downward trend does’nt mean whole Maharashtra would.” Another proposes vaccinated students to be allowed only, saying “MH Govt is fully prepared to fight Covid III wave that doesnt mean we will put the kids from pre primary and 1-4 class kids in danger. @VarshaEGaikwad should understand this. . Why dont open school colleges for vaccinated students and not for others.“
Besides schools, the opinion is to also not allow coaching, colleges to reopen as well.
Those in favor of school reopening
There are also those who are in favor of the move. One such person on twitter says, “Maharashtra is leading the way for schools reopening as they reopened for pre primary to 12th from monday. When will Bihar do the same. Sanjay Sir Reopen schools in bihar also ASAP. It’s the need of the hour and everyone knows that .“
Earlier, the state government has discontinued the offline classes in the starting weeks of January 2022 till February 15, 2022, since the omicron variant of the pandemic hit the state. At that time, a lot of teachers, social activists and parents have strongly criticised this move of the government stating that it is taking a toll on the overall education system. However, now as the state is reporting lesser cases and the covid curve is seen to be flattening this decision is really going to affect the students. The state government has made it clear that it is preparing a road map that will ensure the safety of the students amid this situation of uncertainty.
