Maharashtra government waives exams fee of state board students who lost parents due to COVID-19

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Thursday decided to waive the exam fee of Class 10 and 12 state board students, who have lost their parents due to coronavirus infection. The fee to be waived is for the board exams to be conducted in 2022.

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"A small solace from our side to the children who lost their parents to the pandemic - exam fee for state board exams 2021-22 is being waived off," state School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said. "We are aware that they have gone through a lot already, but their education must continue," she said.

A small solace from our side to children who have lost their parents to the pandemic - exam fee for state board exams 2021-22 is being waived off. We are aware they have gone through a lot already, but their education must continue. @CMOMaharashtra @AjitPawarSpeaks @bb_thorat pic.twitter.com/CuI4dfMB5t

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) December 2, 2021

Recently, Maharashtra ranked highest on continuity in education during COVID-19 school closures. The state was able to ensure continuity in formal education for 38% of its school-going (enrolled) children during the COVID-19 lockdowns, as per a recent survey by policy think tanks LIRNEasia and ICRIER.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cabinet has allowed reopening of schools for Classes 1 to 4 in rural areas and 1 to 7 in urban areas in the state from December 1, education minister Varsha Gaikwad announced on social media.

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However, Mumbai school reopening date has been postponed in wake of new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. Now, schools for Classes 1 to 7 in Mumbai will reopen on December 15, instead of December 1, the ANI reported. According to some reports, schools in Pune will also remain closed and will resume on December 15.

(With inputs from PTI)