Pune: Although the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issued fresh guidelines about reopening of schools in the city from January 4, 2021, Mayor Murlidhar Mohol has hinted that they will rethink about the decision if the schools get low response from parents who are supposed to submit a written consent before sending their children to attend classes physically.

It may be recalled that Pune schools reopening has been postponed twice in the last month even though the state government had given its nod for the same. Almost 70 per cent of the schools for class 9 to 12 students in the state have already reopened since November 23. However, the PMC had decided to keep schools in its jurisdiction closed till December 13. Then on December 12, the PMC announced that schools in the city will remain closed till January 3, 2021.

PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar issued the fresh guidelines on Thursday (December 24) evening. PMC has said in its guidelines that the directives issued by the education department must be followed by the schools in view of the COVID19 outbreak and its prevention.

Talking to media on Monday, Mohol said, "We had received very low response from parents and students when we decided to reopen schools last time. If this time too, parents and students do now show interest in attending schools then we might reconsider our decision and postpone the reopening of schools. Ultimately it is the mindset of parents and students that needs to be taken into consideration. They should feel safe to attend physical classes. We will discuss it with parents and their associations before reopening the schools."

"The PMC administration has declared the dates in advance in order to prepare and facilitate several precautionary measures for reopening of schools," he clarified.

WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES

· All teaching and non-teaching staff should be tested for COVID19, RT PCR test is mandatory.

· Only one student should occupy one bench in the classroom.

· School premises should be sanitised and cleanliness should be maintained regularly.

· School administration should make thermal scanner, oximeter, sanitiser and other items available in adequate manner.

· School should put up instructions at its entrance about using mask and maintaining social distance.

· Schools should inspect and ensure that the student transportation facilities are sanitised regularly.

· Classrooms and staff room seating arrangement should be made according to physical distancing norms.

· Parent's written consent should be submitted by the students to the Headmaster or supervisor of the school before attending classes.