Maharashtra to reopen schools from Dec 1

On Thursday, the Maharashtra government announced that schools in the state will reopen from December 1, 2021.

Students will only be allowed to attend school after their parents have given consent.

"After discussing the issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the cabinet and the pediatric task force, we have decided to reopen schools for Classes 1 to 4 in rural areas and Classes 1 to 7 in urban areas from December 1," School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said in a statement.


The government has said that strict Covid-19 protocol will be followed. Students will have to wear masks and adhere to social distancing practices while on campus.

She added, “In the next six days, the emphasis will be on acclimatising schools, parents and children towards a safe transition to physical classes as classrooms have been shut for nearly two years. We will be holding consultations with school management committees and parents."

The education minister thanked schools, especially teachers, for ensuring a safe environment for classes that have resumed so far.

Schools reopened for Classes 5 to 12 in rural areas on October 4, while those in urban areas resumed for Classes 8 to 12.

Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded 960 new COVID-19 cases and 41 fatalities that raised the tally of infections to 66,32,257 and death toll to 1,40,807.