Maharashtra to reopen schools for physical classes from August 17

Maharashtra will reopen schools for students of Classes 5-7 in rural areas and for those in Classes 9-12 in urban areas from August 17 following COVID-19 protocols. 

Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said, “Offline classes will commence in rural areas for students from Class 5-8, while those in cities will be for students from class 8-12 following Covid-19 protocols.”  This would be implemented only in the areas where Covid-19 infection figures are consistently low, she said. “Committees will be formed for each area and it will decide whether to open schools for various classes or not," she said. 

In Karnataka, offline classes will begin for students of class 9-12 from August 23, while in Tamil Nadu, schools will begin from September 1. Schools in Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have also reopened. In Uttar Pradesh, offline classes will resume on August 16 for majority of schools for Classes 9-12.  

Earlier on 12 July, the Maharashtra government had reopened as many as 5,947 schools for students from classes 8 to12 in rural areas where no coronavirus cases had been reported over the period of one month.  

Meanwhile, amid fears of a third wave of Covid-19, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has warned that a lockdown shall be imposed if the state witnesses an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. 

Addressing the people of Maharashtra, Thackeray said that the state had made preparations ahead of the third wave of COVID-19. 

Read more: 

• Delhi schools reopen for Classes 10, 12; check details here 
• School Reopening Updates: When will Schools Reopen in India 2021? Check state-wise list here 
• College  reopening live updates: When will colleges, universities reopen In  India? Check out state-wise details 
• Maharashtra Minister plans to reopen college campuses