Primary schools to be reopened countrywide from September 30
The decision was taken while keeping in view the future of the children
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – After remaining closed for more than six months due to coronavirus pandemic, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday has announced to reopen primary schools across the country from tomorrow (September 30).
Addressing a press conference, the minister said the decision was taken while keeping in view the future of the children. All the provinces were taken onboard during the session of National Command Operation Center (NCOC), he told.
Shafqat Mahmood said that over three crore students are getting education at primary level in Pakistan.
Action will be taken against those who will not follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus, he warned.
Middle, primary schools reopen
Earlier on September 23, 2020, middle schools in Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan reopened iunder strict implementation of SOPs.
NCOC had allowed reopening of middle schools for grade six to eight students from September 23.
Later on Spetember 28, 2020, schools across Sindh also reopened for middle and primary classes with implementation of SOPs.
Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani stressed coronavirus-related SOPs and precautionary measures once again, warning that strict action would be taken against all private and public educational institutions who failed to implement such measures.
No parent, however, is under pressure to send their child to campus if they feel unsafe in the current situation, according to the provincial minister.
Educational institutions from grade nine to onwards reopen across Pakistan
On September 15, 2020, thousands of schools, colleges and universities across Pakistan reopened.
According to the 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.
