ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will close down all educational institutions from November 26,2020. The decision has been taken to protect the school childern from deadly second corona wave.
The educational institutions across Pakistan will remain closed till January 10, 2021.
Federal Education minister, Shafqat Mahmood, announced closure of schools across Pakistan from November 26,2020 at a press conference held here along with the special advisor to prime minister on Health , Dr Faisal Sultan.
Shafqat Mahmood told the press conference the decision to close down educational institutions has been taken in the wake of rising cases of COVID-19 in recent weeks in Pakistan. He said when we say all educational institutions will remain closed from November 26, 2020 we mean all educational institutions. His repetition of the announcement was probably meant for private educational institutions to make it clear to them that they have to implement the government decision to this effect in letter and spirit.
Private educational institutions seem disagree to the government on closure of schools again. They had also given tough resistance to the government on closure of schools when Pakistan was facing the first wave of corona between April to mid July this year. Again it seems havimg the similar approach now when Pakistan is braving the second wave of the pandemic. Pakistan may be the only country in the world where anybody or organisation can defy the givernment orders like private schools assiciation. This attitude shows how the state of Pakistan is challenged by individuals, organisations or pressure groups for monetry benefits.
Giving details of the decisions taken by the inter provincial meeting of education ministers convened today here to review the sutuation arising out of the second wave of the corona virus in Pakistan and its potential threat to school childern , Shafqat Mahmood said the educational institutions will impart education to the students through online system till December 24 and from December 25,2020 to January 10, 2021, the educational institutions will observe winter holidays .He noted the inter-provincial committee will review the situation of corona cases in Pakistan in the first week of January next year and if things improved by then it will help the government start on campus education again. He said the educational institutions will ensure that the teachers keep close contact with the students to provide them on line courses. The minister said the inter ministerial committee also decided to push boards exams scheduled for March-April next year to May-June 2021.
The Sindh and Punjab had some concerns on the schedule of schools closure.
They had proposed to the inter-provincial cimmittee to close down the educational institutions in different phases. The education ministers of these two provinces held seperate press breifings to convey their point of view on the issue.