22 educational institutes closed in 24 hours over SOPs violation

16 institutes have been shut down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – At least 22 educational institutions have been closed across the country in 24 hours for violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) designated for the prevention of coronavirus spread. According to National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 16 institutes have been shut down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In Karachi’s Korangi, two private schools have also been sealed for commencing classes of primary sections. The concerned authorities said that an action will also be taken against the principals of teh respective institutes.

Meanwhile, Sindh Education Minister Senator Saeed Ghani said that eight staff members in two colleges of District Matiari have been tested coronavirus positive in just two days after reopening educational institutes across the country.

In a post on social-networking website Twitter, the minister said that both the colleges have been closed. 

Coronavirus situation in Pakistan

On the other hand, Pakistan has reported six deaths in last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 303,634. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 6,399.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 545 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours.

Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.

Till now 132,818 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 98,041 in Punjab, 37,185 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 16,005 in Islamabad, 13,798 in Balochistan, 2,451 in Azad Kashmir and 3,336 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Educational institutions from grade nine to onwards reopen across Pakistan

On September 15, 2020, thousands of schools and colleges across Pakistan were reopened after remaining closed for more than six months (187 days) due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government, masks were mandatory for all teachers and students, while schools, colleges, and university administrations were directed to ensure availability of sensitizers at the entry gates.

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on September 07, while announcing the reopening of schools, colleges, and universities, had said all the educational institutions would be reopened in three phases to avoid another wave of the virus.

As per the decision taken by the government, educational institutions from grade nine to onwards were reopened on September 15 and if the pandemic situation remain controlled, then students in grade six to eight will return to school on September 23, while students in nursery to grade five will return to classes on September 30.

Religious seminaries across the country were also reopened. Similarly, the vocational and technical institutions started functioning as well.