Mumbai Schools To Remain Close Till December 31: BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that all schools in Mumbai city to remain close till December 31 due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, the Maharashtra government has allowed schools to reopen from November 23 for Classes 9 to 12. The government has also released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ahead of reopeining schools in the state.

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Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said, "All schools in BMC jurisdiction to remain closed till 31st December. The decision has been taken in the wake of rise in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai. Schools will not re-open on November 23rd."

All schools in BMC jurisdiction to remain closed till 31st December. The decision has been taken in the wake of rise in #COVID19 cases in Mumbai. Schools will not re-open on November 23rd: Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/rrdIenFotQ

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2020

In a series of tweets, Minister of School Education Varsha Gaikwad has said that local administration should take proper precautions while starting the school.

महाराष्ट्रातील शैक्षणिक संस्थेतील नववी ते बारावीचे वर्ग सुरू करण्याचा निर्णय शासनाने घेतला आहे. शाळा सुरू करत असताना स्थानिक प्रशासनाने योग्य ती खबरदारी घेऊनच शाळा सुरू कराव्यात.

— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 20, 2020

Minister also tweeted, "Appropriate instructions have been given to the officials of the education department in this regard. The online education system will continue along with the actual classes. The Department of Education has taken this decision to protect the health of students and teachers in the crisis of corona epidemic."

यासंदर्भात शिक्षण विभागातील अधिकाऱ्यांना योग्य त्या सूचना दिल्या आहेत. प्रत्यक्ष वर्गा सोबतच ऑनलाईन शिक्षण पध्दती चालूच राहणार आहे. कोरोनाच्या महामारीच्या संकटात विद्यार्थी व शिक्षकांचे आरोग्य जपण्यासाठीच शिक्षण विभागाने हा निर्णय घेतला आहे.

— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 20, 2020

She also tweeted, "When starting a school in the Corona affected district, the District Collector, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Commissioner, Education Officer should take a decision keeping in view the health and educational interests of the students. The decision of the local administration is important in terms of starting a school."

कोरोना प्रभावित जिल्ह्यातील शाळा सुरू करताना जिल्हाधिकारी, मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी, महापालिका आयुक्त, शिक्षण अधिकाऱ्यांनी विचारविनिमय करून विद्यार्थ्यांचे आरोग्य, शैक्षणिक हित जपूनच निर्णय घ्यावा. शाळा सुरू होण्याच्या दृष्टीने स्थानिक प्रशासनाचा निर्णय महत्त्वाचा आहे.

— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 20, 2020

Earlier, Varsha Gaikwad held a meeting with officials regarding the safe reopening of schools for standard Classes 9 to 12.

She tweeted, "Amid the pandemic, our teachers have strived to keep education on track for our children. But a blended approach to education is needed to ensure that the last child receives education."

So calling on all schools, teachers, students & parents to come forward with any suggestions or opinions regarding re-opening of schools. pic.twitter.com/UH7U7fzaDI

— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 14, 2020

Schools that will be reopening from Monday should follow SOPs set by the government besides following the safety precautions for teachers and children.

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