Teachers and students in Maharashtra who are part of online education will get Diwali vacation, state Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. “A final decision to this effect will be taken soon,” Gaikwad told reporters, adding that authorities have been directed against conducting any examination during the Diwali vacation period.

Schools were shifted to the online mode in March this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Gaikwad said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is taking views of the state advocate general and other authorities concerned regarding reopening of standard 11 classes.

“The delay in (physical reopening of class 11 lectures) is due to judicial process but online classes of the standard is getting good response,” she added.

Gaikwad said the department of education is focusing on the overall development of students using modern technology.

“We will ensure they take more interest in education and improve their knowledge,” she added.

Gaikwad said that schools will not reopen in the state before Diwali. She said that the challenge is to find a way to end the academic year and assess students. “While we are exploring various options, it is clear that schools will not open before Diwali,” she had said.

According to senior officials in the state education department, reopening schools under the current circumstances is out of question, as there is no sign of the pandemic abating.

Source: PTI

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