Schools reopen to a mixed response

MUMBAI: Schools in parts of Maharashtra reopened for Class 5 to 8 with a mixed response on Wednesday. While some schools saw a good turnout of students, in some others, parents were still not willing to send their children to school due to Covid-19 pandemic and related risks. A total of 422 schools reopened in Thane district.

“While parents want schools to reopen, there is fear among them while signing the undertaking forms as mandated by the state education department. On the first day, we only had 10-15 students in every class consisting 40-50 students,” said Balasaheb Chavan, teacher at KL Ponda High School in Dahanu, Palghar.

“We had given masks and sanitisers to all students and had asked them to wear their masks at all times,” said Somnath Walke, a teacher from a zilla parishad school in Pargaon, Beed which saw nearly 80% attendance on Day 1.

At Karad Municipal School in Satara, all 500 enrolled children attended school.

The state education department is yet to share data on the total number of schools which reopened on Wednesday. continue online classes along with physical classes, even after reopening of colleges.

“Since some of our students are still attending classes from their hometowns, we will continue classes online for them. Also, students cannot be forced to attend physical lectures, such students too will be given the choice of online classes,” said Bagla and added that the same benefit will also be extended to senior staff members keeping their safety in mind.

While most institutes already have a sanitisation programme in place, some are worried about the expenses once students start attending regular lectures.

“The government should look into offering some financial aid to colleges, especially those with large number of students,” said Marie Fernandes, principal of St Andrew’s College, Bandra.