Mumbai: The regular schools with offline classes will be started in the future as per the advice of the local administration after analysing the Covid-19 situation, announced Varsha Gaikwad, school education minister of Maharashtra on Tuesday. Gaikwad said a decision regarding reopening of schools offline in a phased manner will be taken after 15 days after analysing the Covid-19 situation and the possibility of a third wave.
"For now, we will wait and watch," said Gaikwad on Tuesday marking the start of the academic year 2021-22 for Classes 1 to 12 via online mode. Gaikwad said, "We have not started regular offline schools but, we have started regular education via virtual and technical platforms. No school has been directed to reopen offline classes. We will take a decision regarding reopening of offline classes and starting regular schools after 15 days after carefully analysing the Covid-19 situation and discussing the possibility of a third wave with the Chief Minister and local administrations."
A system to track every student is being studied in order to understand how many students have access to online education, Gaikwad said. “We are trying several methods such as community schooling, senior students teaching juniors, teachers educating students in their own vicinity or building in order to provide education to those who do not have access to online education. We are working on studying a system to track every student,” Gaikwad said.
Gaikwad further added, "No student should be deprived of education. Teachers and schools should use virtual mediums such as Zoom, Doordarshan, Diksha App, YouTube, WhatsApp, telephone and other platforms to encourage teaching-learning. Also, no student should be denied education or access to online classes due to lack of payment of fees. Strict action will be taken against such educational institutions."
Bridge courses are being initiated to facilitate learning. Gaikwad said, "The bridge course will be a review of subjects taught to students last year and, a new course will be launched in the month of August. This year, results of students will be prepared by continuously evaluating their performance along with conducting examinations."
