Maharashtra reported 31,855 new COVID-19 cases, 15098 discharges, and 95 deaths on Wednesday, as per the State Health Department. The last few days have seen a sharp rise in the covid cases in the state. On the other hand, the second phase of corona vaccination is underway across the country.
Against this backdrop, Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad clarified that the 10th and 12th examinations in Maharashtra will be held offline. The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha on behalf of Shiv Sena, which has demanded that all 10th and 12th class students appearing for offline examinations in April should be vaccinated against corona.
This year, 13 lakh students from class 10 and 16 lakh students from class 12 will appear for the exams from the state. Apart from this, 12 thousand and 23 thousand students will appear for ICSE and ISC exams respectively. There is also a large number of CBSE students. Therefore, all 10th and 12th class students should be vaccinated against corona, demanded Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale in the Lok Sabha.
The issue of vaccination of students was raised in the zero hour of the Lok Sabha. Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale said that the central government should immediately issue instructions to all the states in this regard. Parents are worried about the number of students appearing for the exams. Teachers and other staff should alo be vaccinated against corona, a procedure that should be started immediately before the exams start, Shewale said.
Maharashtra on Thursday became one the top most state of the country in administering maximum doses of COVID-19 vaccine. We are also the first state to cross the 5 million doses benchmark, said Dr Pradeep Vyas , Principal Secretary, Health, Maharashtra.