For the first time after covid-19 outbreak, schools opened their doors for offline classes from July 26, 2021.
MP government issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reopening schools for Classes 11 and 12 with 50 percent attendance started from July 26, after the Covid-19 cases in the state were at an all-time low.
Following late night orders from district collector, only a few private schools in Indore had opened. This was the first time, after the outbreak of second wave and lockdown enforced, schools finally reopened in the state.
High Schools reopening, CBSE schools were extra cautious
Government schools and schools affiliated to Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Eudcation (MPBSE) had opened their doors in July. However, schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) decided to keep their doors shut for longer.
CBSE schools were planning to reopen the schools for conducting offline classes from Aug 5. However, they didn’t open up as have decided to put the decision on hold considering parent consent, chances of third wave of coronavirus and possible risks.
CBSE schools finally began regular classes by September.
Middle School Reopening
Schools for class 6th to class 12th reopened September 1, 2021. While most schools were happy with the decision and intend to open the school in full swing, the attendance on day 1 was low.
Primary School Reopening
After a year and a half, schools for classes from class 1st to 5th in all government and private schools of the state reopened from September 20.
Schools were permitted to open their doors for primary classes on September 20. Schools did not open in Indore due to a local holiday. On September 21, the attendance was unexpectedly as low as 10 percent in the first week.
The hassle of personal pick up & dropping, as buses went bad
More than 10,000 buses, i.e. almost 40 percent buses need extensive repairs and maintenance, as they have been stationary for almost two years now. In such a condition, schools cannot ply the buses.
Parents will be required to drop and pick up their children from school premises. The possibility and feasibility of plying buses by schools and bus associations is still to be considered.
School operators are ready to reopen schools, but the problem of transportation is still to be resolved.
About 25,000 school buses operate in the state. They are used to specifically for transport children. Out of these, more than 10,000 buses are not in working condition. Barely 15,000 buses can be plied after basic maintenance and repairs.
November: Govt announced reopening to 100% capacity, Retracted orders later
A proposal to open the school at full capacity was sent to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. School Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar stood in favour of the opening of schools with full strength.
In the proposal, it was recommended to open all the schools soon, but due to the main three points, orders could not be issued immediately.
Following the proposal, the government discussed whether there would be any compulsion to take permission of parents or not. Secondly, considerations on whether sports activities should be allowed in schools or not.
Finally, the question arises whether schools would organise prayers\assembly or not in the schools.
According to the officials of the School Education Department, orders can be issued regarding the opening of schools during November third week.
After parents raised objections on this, the education department retracted its orders and schools were instructed to operate on 50 percent capacity in the last week of November.
MP government issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reopening schools for Classes 11 and 12 with 50 percent attendance started from July 26, after the Covid-19 cases in the state were at an all-time low.
Following late night orders from district collector, only a few private schools in Indore had opened. This was the first time, after the outbreak of second wave and lockdown enforced, schools finally reopened in the state.
High Schools reopening, CBSE schools were extra cautious
Government schools and schools affiliated to Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Eudcation (MPBSE) had opened their doors in July. However, schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) decided to keep their doors shut for longer.
CBSE schools were planning to reopen the schools for conducting offline classes from Aug 5. However, they didn’t open up as have decided to put the decision on hold considering parent consent, chances of third wave of coronavirus and possible risks.
CBSE schools finally began regular classes by September.
Middle School Reopening
Schools for class 6th to class 12th reopened September 1, 2021. While most schools were happy with the decision and intend to open the school in full swing, the attendance on day 1 was low.
Primary School Reopening
After a year and a half, schools for classes from class 1st to 5th in all government and private schools of the state reopened from September 20.
Schools were permitted to open their doors for primary classes on September 20. Schools did not open in Indore due to a local holiday. On September 21, the attendance was unexpectedly as low as 10 percent in the first week.
The hassle of personal pick up & dropping, as buses went bad
More than 10,000 buses, i.e. almost 40 percent buses need extensive repairs and maintenance, as they have been stationary for almost two years now. In such a condition, schools cannot ply the buses.
Parents will be required to drop and pick up their children from school premises. The possibility and feasibility of plying buses by schools and bus associations is still to be considered.
School operators are ready to reopen schools, but the problem of transportation is still to be resolved.
About 25,000 school buses operate in the state. They are used to specifically for transport children. Out of these, more than 10,000 buses are not in working condition. Barely 15,000 buses can be plied after basic maintenance and repairs.
November: Govt announced reopening to 100% capacity, Retracted orders later
A proposal to open the school at full capacity was sent to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. School Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar stood in favour of the opening of schools with full strength.
In the proposal, it was recommended to open all the schools soon, but due to the main three points, orders could not be issued immediately.
Following the proposal, the government discussed whether there would be any compulsion to take permission of parents or not. Secondly, considerations on whether sports activities should be allowed in schools or not.
Finally, the question arises whether schools would organise prayers\assembly or not in the schools.
According to the officials of the School Education Department, orders can be issued regarding the opening of schools during November third week.
After parents raised objections on this, the education department retracted its orders and schools were instructed to operate on 50 percent capacity in the last week of November.