Amid uncertainty over reopening of schools in Mumbai, education minister Varsha Gaikwad, on Sunday, said that she has discussed the issue with BMC chief Iqbal Chahal and has prepared a plan. She hinted that schools in the city will be operational soon. Two days ago, she had announced that schools for Class V to XII in rural areas and Class VIII to XII in urban areas will reopen from October 4.
Her statement comes a day after Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said that there was no decision yet on reopening schools in the city. “A decision on reopening of schools in Mumbai was yet to be taken as it was a question of the safety of children. Several factors will have to be considered before coming to a conclusion,” she said.
Gaikwad said that all schools will be sanitised. “Emphasis will be made on vaccination of all teachers. About 76 per cent teachers have been vaccinated till now. Schools will be reopened in areas where the number of Covid patients is less. The civic chief has updated me about the current status of the pandemic and what steps are being taken to reopen schools,’’ she said.
The state government has allowed commuting by trains for fully vaccinated people. “At the local level, a decision regarding allowing teaching and non-teaching staff to travel by trains will be taken by the municipal commissioners. Therefore, they have been delegated work,” she said.
Gaikwad said that students will not be forced to attend school but a parent’s nod will be mandatory for them to attend classes.
