Mumbai: As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in Maharashtra, state School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has said schools will not reopen in the state before Diwali.Maharashtra has till now reported 15,17,434 COVID-19 cases and 40,040 deaths due to the disease.The Centre on March 16 announced closure of all educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.It has now allowed graded reopening of schools from October 15.Gaikwad, who recently recovered from COVID-19, said schools have been conducting virtual classes and teachers have been taking special classes for students in some areas.However, the challenge is to find a way to end the academic year and assess students,.