Schools in Maharashtra are likely to be shut again in view of the rising Omicron cases in the state. The state government is keeping a close watch on the situation as Maharashtra reported 65 cases of people affected by the Omicron variant- the highest reported number in the country until Wednesday (December 23). Speaking to the media the state’s education minister, Varsha Gaikwad said,“ If Omicron cases rise, we may take a call to shut schools again. We are monitoring the situation.” 

The news comes as a disappointment for schools in the state, most of which had only recently resumed physical classes.  “The schools are mindful of children’s safety and will certainly abide by the government’s decision. However, children have been home for a long time and thus all the stakeholders, especially children have been eagerly looking forward to returning to physical classrooms. No doubt, all the stakeholders will be disappointed if schools need to remain closed once again,” said Parveen Shaikh, principal of the Mumbai-based K-12 CBSE Somaiya Vidyavihar School.

The state government allowed a phase-wise reopening of schools (classes VIII to XII) in rural and urban areas that recorded negligible cases of Corona since July 15 this year. Schools were allowed to resume physical classrooms for classes I to VII December 1 onwards. However, with the threat of the new Omicron variant triggering global panic, many local administrations decided to defer resumption of physical classes in schools until December 16. Keeping in mind the new variant,  the state’s education minister also released a new set of guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOPs) on November 29. Amongst other guidelines, the stringent SOP forbids schools to use the biometric attendance system or hold activities where children can gather in groups.

While earlier parents were divided over the continued closure of schools until December, the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic has prompted many parents to take a cautious stance once again. “We have received complaints from parents about schools forcing students to attend physical schools despite the government’s ruling asking schools to allow students the option to study from home. The government needs to ensure that this rule is implemented by all schools having a well-established online system. In the absence of children being vaccinated and cities having an adequate number of paediatric doctors, monitoring the situation is critical. In fact, the government should prepare for the eventuality of holding the SSC and HSC board exams online too if the rise in Omicron cases result in longer school closures,” said Anubha Sahay, president, India Wide Parents Association (IWPA).  

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) which plans to hold offline board exams this year announced the exam dates for both class X and class XII boards. While the written exams for HSC will be conducted from March 4 to 30, the SSC examinations will be held between March 15 and April 24. On December 22 the MSBSHSE also announced its decision to allow both SSC and HSC students extra time to write their theory papers this year. Students will get an additional 30 minutes to write the 70, 80 and 100 marks question papers and an additional  15 minutes to attempt 40, 50 and 60 marks question papers. The relaxation in exam duration is to help students who have lost practice using the pen and paper method in the absence of physical classes. Students have been attending online classes and have attempted most exams in the MCQs format since the closure of schools (March 2020) during the first wave of the pandemic.

Also Read: Amid cluster outbreaks & Omicron fears, Karnataka schools optimistic about in-person classes