Schools to reopen for primary classes in Maharashtra from December 1

The decision has been made in the wake of demands from parent, teacher organisations

Days after teacher and parent organisations urged the State Government to restart primary schools in the State, Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday cleared the decision to reopen physical classes for students studying in standard I to IV from December 1.

State Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said, “The decision to reopen primary schools has been cleared by the State Cabinet. Those who are studying in standard 1 and 2 have never seen the face of the school. They haven’t been in a classroom and taught directly by a teacher. For them, everything will be new when they enter the class. We will try to ensure that this new experience will be happy and healthy for them.”

Ms. Gaikwad said that her department had sent the proposal to restart schools after holding rounds of discussion with the Chief Minister, chief secretary, health department, pediatric task force and others. “We had said that the department would require at least a week to prepare for the classes. Based on that December 1 is decided as a date to restart primary classes,” she said.