After over seven months, schools in Maharashtra for Class 9-Class 12 will reopen from November 23, School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad informed on Saturday. Gaikwad declared at a video conference held by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

HERE IS THE FULL ADVISORY

· Sanitisation of schools, COVID-19 tests for teachers and other precautions are mandatory.

· Students who are ill or any of their family member is ill, he or she is requested to be at home.

· All teachers will undergo RT-PCR tests between November 17 and 22.

· Students will undergo thermal checking at the entry point.

· Only one student will be asked to seat on one bench.

· Classes will be held on alternate days.

· Subjects such as Science, Maths and English will be taught while other subjects will be taught online.

Though the state government has decided to restart schools, many parents said they preferred the online education mode instead of physical attendance.

“The tone of online classroom lectures was already set and even coaching classes are going fine. If COVID-19 vaccine was there in the place, we would never mind sending our kids to the schools but there is still a risk. I will prefer the health of my kids over marks,” one of the parents who wished to remain unnamed said.

Another parent said, “It is extremely important for all schools to follow the norms. The situation is extremely sensitive. Though the schools were suspended, kids were loving online education now all of a sudden it will be difficult for them to attend physical classes.”

Meanwhile, the state government has declared Diwali holidays for schools from November 7 to 20. Teachers who have been assigned duties in the 10th, 12th supplementary exam will recommence their duties from November 19 onwards.