No school fees hike in Maharashtra, announces state education minister Varsha Gaikwad
Mehab Qureshi
Pune, June 16, 2020: The Maharashtra government has come out with standard operating procedures (SOPs) for schools that are willing to reopen for the academic year 2020-21. The chief minister (CM) has also approved the SOP allowing commencement of the next academic year.
Limited digital hours and phase-wise opening of schools
According to the SOP published, LKG, UKG, Std I and II will not have any online classes. “Joyful activity programs on television and radio will be started for them,” said state school education minister Varsha Gaikwad in an online press conference today. She informed that students of Std III to V will have a maximum of one-hour online class daily, two hours for Std VI to VIII students, and three hours online class from Std IX onwards.
Std IX-XII can start their academic sessions from July onwards, Std VI-VIII in August, and Std III-V from September. Gaikwad stated that schools in the green zones of Maharashtra, where zero cases have been reported in at least one month will be allowed to reopen. However, Pune, Mumbai, and Solapur based schools will rely on online classes, as the areas are in the red zones.
‘Reduce fees’, instructs minister to schools
When asked about the issue, the parents are facing due to hike in the fee structure; she said, “executive parent-teacher association (EPTA) is competent to decide the reduction in fee structure by at least 10-20 percent. Since the infrastructure, electricity cost, playground maintenance, and computer lab cost will be saved, the schools should slightly reduce the fee structure. However, we will ensure that there is no hike in the fee structure.”
Addressing the connectivity issue that the students face, Gaikwad asserted that televisions would be used to impart education, JioTv, Tata Sky, and now the ministry has requested Doordarshan as well to allow them to use their services.
One student one bench
Gaikwad also stated that only one student will be allowed to sit on one bench at schools in the green zone, and the students are suggested to walk to school or pick up and dropped by parents individually to avoid crowding in buses or vans. Groceries will be delivered to students who are enrolled under the mid-day meal scheme. Special attention will be given to sanitise schools before reopening the schools.
“We have also trained our teachers accordingly, and have three months of content is ready which will be imparted through Google classroom and Diksha App,” said the minister.
