Education institutions across Pakistan to reopen in three phases from today
Thousands of schools and colleges across Pakistan will reopen today (Tuesday).
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Thousands of schools and colleges across Pakistan will reopen today (Tuesday) after remaining closed for more than six months due to coronavirus pandemic, Dunya News reported.
Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on September 07, while announcing the reopening of schools, colleges, and universities, said all the education institutions would be reopened in three phases to avoid another wave of the virus.
According to the decision taken by the government, educational institutions from grade nine to onwards are reopening today (Tuesday) 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 the classes on September 30.
According to the SOPs issued by the government, masks will be mandatory for all teachers and students, while schools, colleges, and university administrations will ensure availability of sensitizers at the entry gates.
Religious seminaries across the country would also be reopened in phases from today. Similarly, the vocational and technical institutions would will also start functioning today.
- NCOC urges parents, teachers to ensure SOPs compliance -
Earlier on Monday, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) urged the parents and teachers to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued for the safety of students amid reopening of the educational institutions across the country.
In a statement, the NCOC called upon the administrations of educational institutions to ensure proper implementation of health guidelines such as mask-wearing, social distancing to keep the coronavirus at bay.
“InshAllah (By the Will of Almighty Allah), all educational institutions are being opened in phases from September 15. Parents and teachers are requested to pay special attention to the given safety guidelines while sending their children to schools.”
It asked the parents to abstain from sending children to school if they show signs of cough or illness. “If the condition is worse, the child should be tested immediately.”
It should also be ensured that children wash their hands regularly or use a hand sanitizer.
The bus drivers who take children to school or college should ensure social distance in their vehicles. They should make sure that the children were wearing face masks while aboard in the bus or car.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan said we will welcome millions of children back to school on Tuesday.
The premier took to Twitter on Monday and said it is our priority and collective responsibility to ensure that every child can go to school safely to learn.
We have worked to ensure that school operations are aligned with public health safety rules on COVID-19, he added.
Tomorrow we will welcome millions of children back to school. It is our priority & collective responsibility to ensure that every child can go to school safely to learn. We have worked to ensure that school operations are aligned with public health safety rules on #COVID19
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 14, 2020
