Pune schools to reopen for classes 9 to 12 from January 4

PUNE: Pune Municipal Corporation on Thursday issued an order stating that schools in their jurisdiction can reopen their classes from IX to XII from January 4 onwards, ensuring adherence to all standard operating procedures in place for prevention of the spread of Covid 19. The order also asks school managements to call teachers to school from December 28, to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken before the reopening of the school.
There are 44 secondary schools run by Pune Municipal Corporation.“The Additional Commissioner of PMC Suresh Jagtap has called a meeting of education officials on Monday to discuss the matter. We have already taken consent forms from the parents and we will collate the data. In the meeting, we will discuss all the requirements and needs of schools for reopening. We have already requested the ward offices to help the schools in their wards with cleanliness,” said Shivaji Daundkar, education officer, PMC.
The Maharashtra government had given permission for schools (from class IX to XII) to reopen from November 23, but many local government bodies are yet to give a green signal owing to the high number of Covid cases in their area. While Pune rural, under Zilla Parishad did reopen the schools on November 23, the PMC as well as PCMC had taken a decision to keep them shut till December 13. However on December 12, PMC as well as PCMC came out with another circular stating that the schools in its areas will remain shut till January 3. PCMC chief Shravan Hardikar on the school reopening said that the civic body too will open the schools from January 4 and an official order regarding the same will be issued on Monday.