Maharashtra cabinet may weigh school opening issue on Thursday

MUMBAI: The state cabinet is likely to review the issue of reopening schools in its next meeting on Thursday.
The government is under pressure from a section of parents and school associations who have petitioned them to reopen schools.
In some parts of the state, schools opened on Tuesday, but after meeting leaders, Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) decided to put it off till the cabinet takes a decision.
The Parents Association of Mumbai along with MESTA have written an open letter to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and BMC commissioner I S Chahal seeking reopening of schools from January 24. In view of the third wave, schools have been shut in the state till February 15.
The associations have demanded that when the entire city is open, why has the government shut schools.
Health minister Rajesh Tope who met a delegation from MESTA in Aurangabad urged them to not take any steps that would violate Covid curbs. “Although it is very clear the rate of infection among children is low and there is rarely any fatality, the only concern is that kids can act as carriers and infect senior citizens at home. However, all viewpoints—of parents, school associations, task force and other experts—will be considered in the cabinet this week and a review could be taken,” said Tope.
“We will wait for the cabinet decision. If we still don’t get a favourable reply, we will carry out a peaceful march outside Mantralaya by following Section 144 restrictions,” said Vinod Kulkarni, general secretary, MESTA.