13 more educational institutes closed for not implementing coronavirus SOPs
Last updated on: 18 September,2020 02:14 pm
Ten educational institutes have been closed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while three were shut in Sindh.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Thirteen more educational institutes have been closed in 24 hours for not following standard operating procedures (SOPs) designated to curb coronavirus spread. According to details, ten educational institutes have been closed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) while three were shut in Sindh. Earlier, 22 educational institutions were closed across the country for violating SOPs. In Karachi’s Korangi, two private schools were also sealed for commencing classes of primary sections. The concerned authorities said that an action will also be taken against the principals of the respective institutes.
Coronavirus situation in Pakistan
Pakistan has reported nine deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 304,386. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 6,408.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 752 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 Balochistan.
Till now 133,125 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 98,142 in Punjab, 37,242 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13,991 in Balochistan, 16,033 in Islamabad, 3,381 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 2,472 in Azad Kashmir.
Pakistan has so far conducted 3,090,660 coronavirus tests and 33,865 in last 24 hours. 291,683 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas 579 patients are in critical condition.
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.