Maharashtra: Schools to reopen for Classes 1 to 7 in Nashik city from December 13

NASHIK: Schools for Classes 1 to 7 in Maharashtra's Nashik city, which were shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen from December 13, an official said on Thursday.

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had earlier decided not to start schools Classes 1 to 7 in its jurisdiction on December 1 in view of the possible threat of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. As per an official release, there are 1,85,279 students in Classes 1 to 7 in 504 schools in the NMC area and at least 60 per cent of parents have given their consent to resume physical classes.

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Earlier in September, schools reopened for Classes 5 to 8 in rural areas and Classes 8 to 11 in urban areas.

In a related development, Mumbai school reopening date had 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.

Recently, the Maharashtra government issued fresh guidelines ahead of reopening of schools in the state on December 1, 2021.

“The government is sensitive to the possibility of a third wave and no laxity in implementation of SOPs will be permitted. Our students are our future. Let us all come together to ensure their health, wellbeing and continued education,” Maharashtra education minister Varsha Gaikwad tweeted.

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On November 25, the Maharashtra Cabinet decided to allow reopening of schools for Classes 1 to 4 in rural areas and 1 to 7 in urban areas in the state from December 1.

The state resumed physical classes for Classes 5 to 12 on October 4 after being closed for over 18 months due to the pandemic situation. However, the education minister said that a decision on reopening of schools for Classes 1 to 5 will be taken after a cabinet meeting.

(with inputs from PTI)