Schools for classes 1 to 12 to reopen from Jan 24 in Maharashtra

On Thursday, Maharashtra School Education Minister, Varsha Gaikwad announced that schools for classes 1 to 12 will be reopened from January 24 with proper COVID-19 protocols in the state of Maharashtra.

However, schools will only reopen in areas with a low COVID count.

"From January 24, we will be reopening schools for classes 1-12th with COVID protocols. The state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has agreed to our proposal," Gaikwad said.

• The Maharashtra School Education department has also decided to open pre-primary schools from January 24.

"We have also decided to open pre-primary schools from January 24," Gaikwad informed.

Earlier this month in a detailed guideline, the Maharashtra Government had announced the closure of schools and colleges till February 15 due to increase in number of COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Schools in areas where coronavirus cases are fewer can restart physical classes for Std 1st-12th and also start pre-primary classes from January 24 onwards. We are committed to safe resumption of schools in the state. #BackToSchool @MahaDGIPR pic.twitter.com/MesX5SNl5L

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) January 20, 2022

Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 43,697 new COVID-19 cases and 49 deaths.